While Labour and the Conservatives join battle over who has the most sustainable policies, public sector organisations are making some serious strides forward. Andrew Ross reports on an issue whose...
The recent wave of primary care trust withdrawals from Local Area Agreements at short notice has highlighted the need to put LAAs on a firm legal basis. So why isn't the government doing so?
Scotland's public sector watchdog has defended itself against claims by members of the Scottish Parliament that it might not be achieving best value following rising costs in its budget.
Detected fraud and overpayments among 1,300 public bodies has soared by 33% to £111m since the last sweep of their records two years ago, the Audit Commission revealed this week.
The Department for Education and Skills has pledged to review the new Dedicated Schools Grant following criticism from MPs and local authorities that it prevents funds being targeted at deprived...
The new leader of London's Conservative councillors is confident he will take control of the capital's local government body following the Tories' sweeping gains in last month's local elections.
Local government should seize the opportunity offered by the Lyons Inquiry and push for a model of local transport funding akin to that developed by Transport for London, the Local Government...
Ken Livingstone has pledged to put the fight against global warming at the heart of his London plan, as he published the first major review of the 2004 strategy.
Government and local authority interaction with communities after the London bombings last July was 'well-intentioned' but 'could have been better co-ordinated', the Home Office has been warned.
Financial managers in the public sector are prepared to do what is required to make the Gershon efficiencies but first they want some firm decisions on how the improvements will be measured
Town halls are being asked for their views on the best way to encourage young people, people with disabilities, and those from inner cities and black and ethnic minority communities to make the most...
Local authorities will peg business rate increases to no more than inflation if they are returned to local control as part of a shake-up of the finance regime, town hall leaders have promised.
The reorganisation of police forces in England and Wales must be properly organised and funded, the new head of the Association of Chief Police Officers said this week.
The minister co-ordinating the government's public services reforms this week urged Whitehall departments to sign up to a project that could prevent workforce opposition to future changes.
Patricia Hewitt survived the recent Cabinet reshuffle. But her department faces huge upheavals, with newly merged SHAs and PCTs and a worldwide search for a new health service boss. Seamus Ward...
Books not Asbos are being used by a pioneering Edinburgh community library to challenge young people's antisocial behaviour and transform lives. Judy Hirst met the staff at Sighthill, who are...
This year's Outstanding Public Servant of the Year represents the best in public service, say the judges. Through his work with Connexions, Anthony Vanterpool or 'Swifty' helps to change the...
Local authority efforts to curb low-level disorder and antisocial behaviour are hampered by insufficient and uncoordinated data collection, a report from the Audit Commission has found.
Bed blocking has increased dramatically in more than 10% of England's local authorities with social service responsibilities, figures seen by Public Finance reveal.
Tony Blair vowed this week to go 'further and faster' on public service reform as he prepares to launch another wave of change that will 'shape progressive politics' for a generation.
