The NHS has improved markedly over the past few years, but more attention needs to be paid to public health problems such as obesity, sexually transmitted diseases and especially mental health,...
The government is ploughing on with its city academy programme for inner-city schools, despite vociferous opposition and some embarrassing failures. Phil Revell finds out why
Lambeth council's 'zero tolerance' approach to non-payment of council tax goes hand in hand with its efforts to explain to residents how this will result in increased revenues and high-quality...
From victory to defeat in a few weeks. The London Borough of Ealing last month failed to convince the Court of Appeal that its 'weak' CPA rating was unlawful. But where does this result leave the...
A report recommending beefed-up powers for the capital's councillors has prompted a political disagreement, with two members of the commission responsible for the study resigning.
Budget-holders in education are concerned that procurement targets will oblige them to axe their trusted suppliers. However, both sides of the equation will be involved in solving the efficiency...
Slowly but surely, the private sector is making inroads into the NHS, with the active help of the government. While there is no prospect of full-scale privatisation, mixed provision of health care...
Real food is back on the political menu, after TV chef Jamie Oliver shamed the government over junk meals in schools. But despite all the noise, is there enough will and cash to give every school...
The tough new Comprehensive Performance Assessment regime unveiled this week will cost some councils their 'excellent' or 'good' status but its Audit Commission architects are unrepentant.
Mental health provision will have to be drastically changed over the next 20 years to reflect the issue's growing importance, a think-tank has claimed.
Local authorities must substantially improve their financial management arrangements in the 'brave new world' of reformed public services, James Strachan told the CIPFA annual conference in...
Government buildings within the Stormont estate in Belfast might be sold off as part of a programme to rationalise civil service accommodation, Northern Ireland's Department of Finance and Personnel...
Nurses who withhold a comforting hand; schools that stop children playing outside; community hospitals that ban home-made cakes at a party. The risk-averse culture has gone far too far, argues Julia...
The next president of CIPFA is a chief executive who balances enthusiasm for her adopted town with a determination to enjoy life to the full. Mike Thatcher reports
Everyone from the Lonely Planet tourist guides to think-tank boffins agree that Britain's city centres now beat anything on offer in Europe. What is responsible for this transformation, asks Will...
