Voluntary organisations can reach parts that monolithic public services can't even get close to. And the government is waking up to their importance in areas such as employment services and welfare...
The European Commission has described as 'artificial' the government's rationale for removing the right of some local government workers to claim full pension benefits at 60.
The outsourcing company planning to shift hundreds of council jobs from London to the Scottish Highlands will not offer skilled staff equivalent positions in the capital if they refuse to move 580...
Most Whitehall departments will face a spending squeeze in the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review if the chancellor sticks to the spending limits outlined in his Pre-Budget Report, independent...
The tougher CPA is here and there is no hiding place. One of the weak spots is external funding, with many councils displaying a frightening lack of control over and knowledge of grant bids. Guy...
First it was in, then it was out, now it's 'in-sourced'. Croydon council believes it has found the best way to run its benefits service. Nathan Elvery explains
Not so long ago, light rail or tram schemes were the favourite solutions to transport problems in English cities. But one by one the planned projects have collapsed and Transport Secretary Alistair...
Tory leader David Cameron has hit the ground running, ditching old party certainties for the centre ground. But how much substance is there? Philip Johnston has his doubts
Public service reforms will fail unless the government addresses 'unfair tax rules' and 'muddled regulation' in the competition for contracts, business and charity leaders have warned.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is refusing to compensate councils for lost grant, even though the government's own statisticians have admitted the data used to calculate it is flawed.
The controversy surrounding the education white paper was stepped up this week as an influential committee of MPs failed to agree on a response to the government's proposed school reforms.
A High Court judge has ruled that the criteria used by many primary care trusts to assess whether someone should have to pay for their nursing care are 'fatally flawed' in law.
Scottish councils have warned that they face a bill of up to £560m and council tax increases of more than £80 a year if they settle disputes over an equal pay agreement.
A London borough has called off any further stock transfer ballots after tenants on five estates rejected plans to switch their homes to housing associations.
The government is running out of time to deliver on its localism agenda and risking disaffection throughout local government, Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart has warned.
Forget the current headlines about schools, one of their biggest difficulties is attracting a head teacher. Phil Revell reports on a recruitment crisis that is threatening the reforms
Over a million new homes are projected for the over-crowded Southeast. A planning and design abomination or a sensible way to provide pleasant, affordable homes for ordinary people? Will Hatchett...
Once again there is a conflict between the government's policy intentions and the law. This time it affects one of the main planks of its local reforms: Local Area Agreements. But there is solution
Standing up for NHS managers is a tough assignment, but a new union leader is tackling the challenge in a determined yet relaxed way. Seamus Ward reports
He's a loyal Man U fan and an even more loyal New Labour devotee. Now the local government minister has a new enthusiasm council finances. David Harding reports
Funny, isn't it? For ages, there are no transport crises. Then they all come along at once. Christian Wolmar explains the issues that are now putting the pressure on Transport Secretary Alistair...
Hospitals, schools and councils are all facing radical reform, but the funding systems imposed to achieve this are far from joined up. Tony Travers points out the contrasting philosophies and calls...
The revelation this week that more than 1 million pupils are being taught in poorly performing schools has underlined the need for robust local authority involvement, according to town hall leaders.
