Councils should offer tax incentives to encourage local businesses to invest in their area, avoiding a surge in ‘ghost towns’, according to a think-tank.
The past ten years have seen the economy go from boom to bust, and the public finances spiral out of control. Tony Travers relives a decade of war, terrorism and financial
collapse – and asks, is it...
Efforts to improve the quality of social housing by the end of next year are being thwarted by councils failing to refurbish their homes fast enough, housing minister John Healey claimed this week
It’s supposed to be lighter touch but it is certainly tougher. The Audit Commission’s first area assessments were revealed this week – and put up on the Oneplace website for everyone to see. David...
Scotland’s finance secretary has decided to retain the existing funding system for Scottish councils after rejecting claims that it is anomalous and unfair
Enhancing the role of local government could improve the quality of MPs, who otherwise lack managerial experience, a prominent Conservative council leader has said
Southwark council has called for an urgent parliamentary review of the Care Quality Commission after the watchdog said the authority needed extra support for adult social services
The government will set out plans to rationalise funding of public services alongside measures to slash the fiscal deficit in the Pre-Budget Report on December 9
Ahead of next week’s Pre-Budget Report, Public Finance convened a round table to debate the risks and possibilities in trying to deliver more from less public spending. Judy Hirst reports on the good...
MPs have called for urgent reforms to the health care regulation system after two highly rated NHS trusts were found to be failing to keep patients safe
A prominent Conservative council leader has cast doubt over the quality of the shadow Cabinet, suggesting they are not experienced enough to run a country
Scotland’s Finance Secretary, John Swinney, has told councils and the public sector that if progress on shared services doesn’t improve he might be forced to take action
European Union proposals to impose tougher sanctions on public bodies that pay their suppliers late are putting £600m of taxpayers’ money at risk, local authorities have warned
There are silver linings to be found among the clouds of recession if public sector leaders allow innovative ideas to get off the ground, argues Geoff Mulgan
