The cost of Private Finance Initiative projects will still not count towards public sector net debt, but government departments and local authorities will have to include the projects on their...
The financial crisis has thrust Treasury select committee chair John McFall into the limelight. He talked to Judy Hirst about bankers, bonuses - and dealing with hooligans
A simpler and more open system — or a way for ministers to bulldoze through favoured projects? The Planning Act, and particularly the creation of a new quango as final arbiter, has provoked uproar
With the recession - and government efforts to end it - putting growing pressure on the public purse, there has never been a greater need for visionary and creative public finance leaders.
An Equality Bill promising equal life chances for all is imminent. But are such lofty ambitions achievable in an economic downturn when profits and budgets are being carefully guarded?
David Cameron has promised to conjure up ‘more for less’ if the Tories win the next general election. But, argues Philip Johnston, there is no secret formula, and a Tory prime minister might have to...
The Budget included measures to overcome an impending crisis in further education, announcing £250m to fund an additional 54,000 sixth form and further education places
English towns and cities face a far larger than predicted demand for school classes, with London expecting a shortfall of 18,000 places. So should government or education authorities bear the costs...
Town hall leaders have been ‘hugely encouraged’ by the announcement of funding to help them create 100,000 new jobs - but have called for the extra money to be passed on quickly.
The public sector faces a £47bn spending squeeze from 2011, along with slashed capital allocations and a renewed efficiency drive as a result of this year’s Budget, experts have warned.
