Labour's first two terms saw local government marginalised and under ever greater central control. So how can new minister David Miliband improve the central/local relationship? George Jones and John...
As universities in England look forward to extra income from top-up fees next year, those in the rest of the UK face both an influx of English students and an academic brain drain as a result....
Cost savings are the most readily identifiable outcome of government efficiency drives. But, as Craig Baker and Patrick Lord point out, it is vital to find ways in which to track equally important...
It's not just politicians who have a problem with trust. There's also declining confidence in public services. Alex Klaushofer asks whether reputation management is the answer
The new terminal at Heathrow airport is on track and on budget. Christian Wolmar believes there are vital lessons for the public sector to learn from BAA's decision to shoulder the risks itself
The most august Whitehall department has a long history of failing to perform and is clearly out of its depth on major issues, argues this former government adviser. Would we not be better off...
Would a civil service Act damage democracy and good government? Not according to the union leader representing Whitehall mandarins, who takes issue with arguments expressed in a recent PF feature
Politicians have been doing battle over the need for public sector efficiency savings. But councils are already teaming up with their neighbours and other public bodies to make major economies of...
Whatever the election outcome, the fate of the deputy prime minister's department hangs in the balance. Peter Hetherington predicts some delicate times ahead for the office running Whitehall-town...
The political parties are all talking up the importance of education in the election debate. But, asks Vidhya Alakeson, is spending going where it is most effective?
The Public Finance Public Servants of the Year Awards were presented last week at a glittering event in London. Editor Mike Thatcher describes the reactions of the team and individual winners and...
How do you turn government scientists' ideas into commercial reality? Clik Knowledge Transfer is showing the way whether for better airport security or new cholesterol tests. Neil Merrick explains
Cleaning is too often the invisible service. But Belbclean has put an end to that, boosting staff and teachers' morale alike by transforming school cleaning in Belfast. Paul Gosling reports
In just four years, the capital's bus network has got bigger, better and faster with millions more passenger journeys each year. David Harding reports on London Buses, the command and control team...
Jo McCullagh goes where many others fear to tread docksides, lorry drivers' cafés and construction sites to hand out condoms, apples and safer sex literature. Her innovative efforts to...
Ken Hunter is a firefighter with a difference, as he also helps steer children and young offenders away from a life of car crime and arson. After 26 years in the fire service, he has just picked up...
As the 2005 election's battle of the budgets hots up with accusations of tax and spend black holes flying to and fro Tony Travers asks whether it's still the economy that will determine the...
As the election battle hots up for hearts and minds of 'hard-working families', contradictory messages are emerging about poverty and inequality. Who is telling the truth? The IPPR sifts through the...
A fight has broken out in schools but the pupils are not to blame. Heads claim that they can't afford both the workload agreement and pay reforms. Teachers say this is just an excuse. Conor Ryan...
The new Wales Audit Office carries huge audit and regulatory responsibilities, but its first auditor general is more than ready for this wider role, he tells Joseph McHugh
Calls for a corporate manslaughter Act have intensified over the years after a series of man-made disasters. Now a draft Bill has been published that could make it much easier to prosecute public...
It is now only a week to the Public Servants of the Year Awards. With the general election campaign in full swing, this is an ideal time to recognise the remarkable work carried out by public...
