Huge spending cuts and radical changes in the public sector are not only shrinking the existing workforce but making it harder for jobseekers to find positions. As more and more people apply for...
European governments are piling on the fiscal pain in unsuccessful attempts to claw their way out of financial crisis. Could they learn from the quick-fix austerity approaches of the Baltic states...
The government will not achieve its goal of eradicating child poverty by 2020, the independent reviewer on social mobility has told Public Finance. An extended version of this interview will be shown...
As the slings and arrows keep coming, how can the public sector keep calm and carry on? Alex Davda and Vicki Culpin explain ten ways that managers can strengthen themselves and their organisations
The first female general secretary of the TUC will have her work cut out dealing with public sector disputes and the union brothers. But don’t expect Frances O’Grady to start tub-thumping any time...
Halfway through its term in office, the coalition is still looking for a route map to recovery. The chancellor’s Autumn Statement must offer some way out of here, argues Steve Freer
Why is the government copying public service models from far, far away — particularly in New Zealand? It’s a riddle wrapped in an enigma. Judy Hirst investigates
Good planning, flexible resourcing, adaptable behind-the-scenes technology and a can-do attitude are a few of the gold-medal lessons to be learned from the success of the first ‘Twitter Olympics’
To survive and thrive in a harsh climate, public bodies need to nurture a sense of shared purpose with other sectors, which means adopting growth-friendly business practices and ensuring...
Shared services cannot compensate for 28% cuts to local government grants. But they can help break down silos and deliver more seamless outcomes to the public, the LGA's Peter Fleming says
Macroeconomic policy makers failed to predict the biggest recession in 70 years. It’s time to rip up the rule book, chuck out the useless models – and look for a new angle on how to promote growth,...
It is abundantly clear that George Osborne’s Plan A has failed. Instead of just waiting for something to turn up, he needs to use the Autumn Statement to launch a radical programme for economic...
The London 2012 Games and their army of smiling volunteers left behind a national sense of wellbeing and can-do spirit. Back in the world of austerity, the coalition expects similar Olympian efforts...
Public servants are having to navigate the twists and turns of government policy as part of ministers’ efforts to increase Whitehall’s financial skills
Performance reviews can seem like practising scales on the piano: vital but dull and time-consuming. However, they are an opportunity to set the tone, fine-tune the goals and bring out the virtuoso...
Next year councils take charge of business rates and council tax support. As the levels of both are heavily dependent on changes in local economies, finance departments will have to keep one step...
As the Audit Commission prepares to bow out, incoming controller Marcine Waterman explains how it is going back to its regulatory roots while continuing to protect public money and audit quality
The coalition partners don’t agree on much. And the political perils of shrinking the state mean that small is no longer quite so beautiful, argues Philip Johnston
The coalition partners don’t agree on much. And the political perils of shrinking the state mean that small is no longer quite so beautiful, argues Philip Johnston
