The government's initial response to Sir Michael Lyons' report might have seemed muted, but the small print tells a different story. Ministers have not only accepted the core thesis, they have taken...
In the end, 'Super Thursday' wasn't meltdown for New Labour but neither was it a springboard for success. Tony Travers looks at the party's prospects after the local, Scottish and Welsh elections...
The new chief executive of London Councils will be watching out not only for his members but for the capital's less affluent citizens, too, he tells Vivienne Russell
Despite reports to the contrary, ministers are supportive of many of the recommendations made by Sir Michael Lyons. In fact, his major report will be informing public policy for many years to come
A council tenancy used to mean a home for life. But all that's set to change, as the government takes steps to break the link between social housing and welfare dependency.
Personalisation is the latest buzzword in the government's public service policy review. But putting the focus on the customer as user rather than as a taxpayer just sidesteps many of the difficult...
The system of scrutinising public services in Scotland is not 'fit for purpose' and needs to be radically reformed, council leaders and chief officials have concluded.
Housing minister Yvette Cooper has dismissed peers' criticism of her incoming Home Improvement Packs as representing vested interests and failing to understand the environmental benefits of property...
Council engineers and surveyors have been out in force assessing the damage to buildings across Kent following last weekend's earthquake, which damaged 1,500 properties and left many families...
Outsourcing education services to private companies is meant to iron out performance problems, but its critics in the public sector claim it's a far from ideal solution that often makes things worse.
Payment by results is here to stay. But now ministers are consulting on the best way to 'unbundle' the tariff-based system. Noel Plumridge braves the details
England's local authorities lack the expertise to implement crucial government reforms, cannot retain high-quality staff and do not reward employees according to their ability to perform their jobs,...
The chair of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights has rejected claims that the planned new body has been 'downsized' with a budget less than half the size experts said it needed.
Labour's battle to retain power at Holyrood and prevent a Scottish National Party victory received a much-needed boost this week when leading personalities, including top business figures, declared...
Welsh Labour leaders have denied that they are examining options for coalition government if they fail to retain control of the Welsh Assembly after the May 3 elections.
In the second of Public Finance 's series of 'After Lyons' articles, the Conservatives' shadow local government minister argues for a pragmatic pick 'n mix approach to Sir Michael's conclusions
Swathes of public sector staff could be on a collision course with the government after a union leader said the Trades Union Congress is in 'serious discussions' over co-ordinated industrial action...
Workplace dress rules have been increasingly in the news as more staff challenge them in court. The public sector is far from immune, and organisations need to ensure their requirements are reasonable
Local government faces an uncertain future. The Lyons' report has been largely rejected by ministers, there is the prospect of a messy reorganisation, and local partnerships are failing to get off...
A white paper on children in care could be published earlier than anticipated as the government steps up the pace of change in this area, experts believe.
Councils have called on Audit Scotland to change the way it conducts its Best Value audit process, the system that places a duty on local authorities to make continuous improvements in their...
Schools in deprived areas are not getting the extra money they need, London Councils has said in a report designed to influence the government's consultation on education funding.
