David Miliband planted the idea of 'double devolution' when he was communities minister. Now the priority of his successor, Ruth Kelly, must be to explain what this concept means and how it will...
The local government reform programme could be stymied by ministers' decision to publish a white paper that does not tackle the 'core issue' of finance, the former minister in charge has warned.
A Scottish council and its partners are seeking a power that could pave the way for a legally backed authority to co-ordinate services, including those administered by other public agencies.
We are delighted and proud that Unison, one of the largest trade unions in Europe, is again sponsoring the overall team award at the Public Servants of the Year Awards 2006.
A catalogue of central government failures strengthens the case for devolving more powers to local government. So why despite decades of official rhetoric and numerous inquiries is Whitehall so...
The chair of the Lyons Inquiry into Local Government says that there is now a consensus in favour of more decentralisation. But councils will have to raise their game to improve transparency and...
Local government is finally getting the attention it deserves, with its white paper and inquiry both due this year. But will anything change? Public Finance invited Sir Michael Lyons and a round...
The past four decades have produced major technological, medical and engineering advances but have failed dismally to reform local government finance. Sarah Wood says this time there must be change...
The current system for funding long-term care is 'inequitable, incoherent and financially unstable', a three-year research project by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has concluded.
More low-cost homes must be built in rural areas to avoid young people being priced out of local housing, says a report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
CIPFA has urged the UK's Department for International Development to promote a new international reporting standard to minimise the multiple reporting burdens placed on poor countries.
The structure of local government, as well as how it is run and financed are all under scrutiny. This offers the perfect opportunity to explore lasting reforms after years of tinkering, argue Frank...
As the axe falls on thousands of frontline NHS posts, the government faces a huge row over the impact on clinical care. Seamus Ward visits a health trust about to shed 1,200 posts and hears both...
Whatever government reform you look at, you'll find joint working is part of it. But councils planning to join up to share services need to ensure that by doing so they don't trigger EU procurement...
Ministers, local government employers and trade unions are set to launch a ground-breaking project with the aim of involving public sector staff in the government's reform programme.
The government has given the NHS and social care services five years to stamp out a pervasive negative culture of attitudes to older people which often results in poor quality care and neglect. But...
The environment dominated the local elections campaign this week as the political parties vied to demonstrate their green credentials in the run-up to polling day on May 4.
