Rock fan Bill Shields hopes to promote a ‘world-class’ finance system for the NHS when his biggest gig — chairing the Healthcare Financial Management Association — starts in...
This summer’s standard assessment tests fiasco was one in a long line of outsourcing disasters. But it provides a route map for future partnerships, says Andrew Rigby
The government is reaffirming the importance of training in the recession through both investment and legislation. But its ‘demand-led’ packages have been criticised by employers and...
Despite the abandonment of the fiscal rules, the UK remains prudent by European measures. Steve Wilcox argues that by adopting the EU’s financial rules in the Pre-Budget Report on November 24,...
When the going gets tough, the tough invent a grand-sounding body. Philip Johnston asks whether Gordon Brown’s new economic ‘war council’ is a lean, mean fighting machine or a...
Construction is the biggest industry in the UK but plagued by a skills shortage. Mark Farrar explains how a new national network is working with employers to improve workforce training — and...
As the global financial crisis deepens, public sector pension schemes are facing a double whammy. Not only are they suffering from falling share values, but there are increasing calls for their '...
The UK's strict school testing regime has helped put British children at the bottom of international learning and wellbeing league tables. So ministers' U-turn on Sats is a welcome change of...
The government has favoured the Private Finance Initiative, partly to keep debt off the national accounts. But, Mark Hellowell argues, with the financial crisis hitting providers, the schemes will...
Partnerships have become an important way of improving the efficiency of the public sector. However, there are risks involved. These can often be overlooked but are easily overcome if you are aware...
As credit crunch turns into recession, it's time for a revival in public sector banking, argue Chris Leslie and Stephen Cirell. And local authorities could lead the way
Public spending is back in fashion as the government attempts to minimise the effects of the recession. Will this new approach aid Gordon Brown's political revival and what will be the impact on next...
The crisis in the markets has left a trail of financial giants in tatters. Public services, especially those with Icelandic investments, are feeling the strain. Paul Gosling reports on how the sector...
The implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards by councils requires dedication, hard work and application. It's an Olympian task but the prize will be worth it
Is time up for Sats? The summer marking fiasco left the government embarrassed, and parents, teachers and pupils fuming. But, argues Conor Ryan, the controversial tests have raised standards and...
In this first article in a series looking ahead to the Pre-Budget Report, the Liberal Democrats' Vince Cable spells out the steps the chancellor should take to tackle the worst effects of the...
