The local government white paper promised a bright new future for 'radical and devolutionary reform'. But the process has already been short-circuited, argues Tim Thorogood
Ministers have promised to speed up the payment of equipment grants to help elderly and disabled people who live at home, following an independent review.
The local government finance regime and waste monopolies have helped to make Britain Europe's worst performer in waste recycling, experts have claimed.
The Scottish Executive's consultation paper on public sector reform is little more than lightweight theorising, a leading public finance academic has said.
A likely national strike by civil servants could spill over into the local government arena, with Whitehall's largest trade union this week threatening to disrupt May's local elections.
The government's IT record came under fire again this week as ministers delayed the problematic local government strategy and a controversial consortium retained a £4bn defence contract.
The social care inspectorate has called for an urgent national debate into whether or not the state should continue to provide preventative social care to disabled and frail adults.
Supporters say social enterprises marry private efficiency with public values, offering innovative low-cost, high-quality services. But a wider definition of value for money is needed to get the best...
'Choice-based letting' allows social housing applicants to choose where they want to live, rather than have officials decide for them. And soon it will be available in every English council. Neil...
Public Service Agreements were meant to keep track of what departments do with taxpayers' money. The problem is that no-one, least of all MPs, pays them much attention. Colin Talbot and Carole...
Happy New Year. If you are an adult with a disability you now have two years left to receive preventative social care that could stop your condition deteriorating further, the Local Government...
Hardworking and 'heroic' civil servants are being let down by a Whitehall culture that rewards failure and ignores successful individuals, a report by a leading think-tank has claimed.
Well done to all of you who took part your comprehensive knowledge of the news is impressive. Particular congratulations to our winner Sue Alliott at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea,...
With a Brown premiership predicted for any time soon, all bets are off as to what it will mean for one of Blair's most cherished 'legacy' issues public service reform. Tony Travers hacks through a...
The main reason why so many big outsourcing contracts run aground is the lack of any sort of mechanism to solve disputes before they get out of hand, argues Mark Amsden. But there is a wealth of...
Two councils have received the go-ahead to raise £200m through the Private Finance Initiative as part of their efforts to meet the decent homes standard.
Scottish councils are to receive extra revenue funding of £393m in 2007/08 an increase of 4.7% on last year, Finance Minister Tom McCabe has announced.
There must be no back-pedalling on reform as the health service seeks to recover financial balance, NHS chief executive David Nicholson told the Healthcare Financial Management Association annual...
Cabinet secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell and a senior adviser to the prime minister this week urged Whitehall to focus on a four-pronged plan to improve public services amid further evidence that...
