All eyes are on how much the chancellor will cut in his Spending Review. But maximising income from tax revenues is just as important, argues Richard Murphy
The chancellor's statement on October 20 has been billed as a Spending Review like no other, with 25% cuts expected across most departments. But the full impact will only be understood
years down...
Not all cuts have to be bad, sometimes you can get more for less – and that’s particularly the case with procurement, argues Paul O'Brien. Some councils have already found new ways
to make the most...
David Cameron's Big Society could radically change the way services are delivered, and help councils empower communities. But the bad news for the chancellor is that it's unlikely to save much money...
The government's data-sharing revolution has begun and armchair auditors have an array of website weapons to choose from. This is not a threat to the public sector but an opportunity for greater...
Ministers have hugely ambitious infrastructure plans. The only problem is they don't intend to pay for them. With capital spending being cut at an unprecedented rate, can the private sector step up...
The public accepts the need for huge
cuts in the Spending Review, as long as
they minimise any sacrifices and consider long-term effects. Jon Sibson explains
As the new term starts, the education secretary faces some tough tests, not least from the Treasury. Conor Ryan tracks how the coalition's star pupil became a struggling low achiever
So farewell then Audit Commission and hello amateur bean counters. David Walker takes a look at the coalition's plans for 'super audit' - and wonders if they're outside most people's comfort zone
Is local government minister Bob Neill friend or foe? In an interview with Lucy Phillips, this amiable veteran of the sector robustly defends town hall cuts but pledges to improve relations with...
Chair of the 2020 Public Services Commission talks to Public Finance about his blueprint for public service reform; the coalition's record so far; NHS management cuts; and the outlook for further...
Chair of the 2020 Public Services Commission talks to Public Finance about his blueprint for public service reform; the coalition's record so far; NHS management cuts; and the outlook for further...
'Personalisation' is about to be rolled out across the public services. And it could be an effective way to empower citizens and cut costs. But what is the track record so far in social care?...
The health white paper promises to liberate the NHS by abolishing expensive top-down red tape. But is handing financial control to GPs really sensible? David Williams weighs up the evidence
Coalition ministers believe that private sector employment growth can counteract the huge loss of public jobs expected imminently. The Office for Budget Responsibility concurs, but are they being too...
The government's tough austerity measures could create a potential bonanza for outsourcing firms as the public sector looks to cut costs in education, health, local government and police services....
Cutting Housing Benefit will not only affect those families that rely on it, but could widen the poverty gap and affect the recovery, says Campbell Robb
This week's all-change health white paper might make for flashy headlines. But the new head of the King's Fund has doubts about the detail. Chris Ham talks to David Williams
With unemployment heading for 3 million and a soaring welfare budget to cut, the coalition is tightening up eligibility conditions for claimants. But we've been here before, warns Dan Finn
Things really did get better under New Labour. But now we need a new settlement for progressive politics and public service reform, say Lisa Harker and Carey Oppenheim
The Budget revealed for the first time the scale of the austerity ahead - and it amounts to the longest and deepest period of public spending cuts since the Second World War. Rowena Crawford and...
Ahead of the Spending Review, government departments face the tough task of making deep savings while protecting frontline services. Steve Freer offers ministers some timely advice
We are told that private sector workers faced widespread pay freezes last year and now it's the turn of pampered public servants to feel the pain. But much of this argument is based on urban myths,...
The new chair of the Public Accounts Committee has been dogged by controversy throughout her career. But Margaret Hodge tells Lucy Phillips that this role gives her the freedom she craves
Think we've got problems? This weekend's G20 summit in Toronto will put Britain's austerity Budget in context. Dan Corry reports on the global economic tensions that threaten to undermine the recovery
