Ministers are poised to devolve new welfare powers to cities aimed at combating poverty, raising employment and improving conditions for people with disabilities.
Political acceptability will dictate Sir Michael Lyons' proposals to reform local government finance when he concludes his inquiry later this year, he has told Public Finance
Government plans to amalgamate police forces across England and Wales were left in tatters this week after the only voluntary merger broke down once ministers failed to sanction the requisite council...
Tens of thousands of coastal homes are under threat from rising sea levels and what local government leaders have deemed 'woefully inadequate' funding for sea defences.
Social landlords have welcomed plans for a national strategy to support vulnerable people, but are continuing to demand firmer assurances over funding.
The Treasury is to launch a root-and-branch review of procurement throughout the public sector, amid ministers' mounting frustration that many organisations are still not using their buying power to...
One of devolved Scotland's first major policies was free personal care for the elderly. Four years on, how has it fared and does it offer any lessons for the rest of the UK? David Scott reports
Sure Start, tax credits, baby bonds. Gordon Brown has not been idle on the social policy front while he waits for his chance at the premiership. But what kind of legacy will the longest-serving...
Social care is often described as the Cinderella service. So will Ivan Lewis, the fourth to wear the ministerial shoes in just five years, turn out to be its Prince Charming? Sally Gainsbury went to...
Local services in Wales need a fundamental overhaul, with a tougher focus on poor performance and an end to the public sector's 'silo mentality', a wide-ranging review has concluded.
The Cornwall Partnership NHS trust has been placed under 'special measures' following a watchdog report revealing 'many years of abusive practices' of adults with learning disabilities.
Proposals to close community hospitals might be delayed after Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt told primary care trusts to adopt new methods of public consultation.
The tangle of performance indicators and reporting requirements that are throttling local government will be swept away following a wide-ranging review being set up to slash red tape in the sector,...
Older people are being 'deprived of the care they deserve' because of the worsening £600m shortfall between what councils have available to fund care services and the minimum they need to spend, the...
Local government workers should share the risks faced by their pension funds and be subject to possible contribution rate increases or benefit decreases every six to nine years, the government and...
A property company that manages homes for local authorities has become the first private firm to apply to the Housing Corporation to be an accredited landlord.
Council workers in Scotland will have their early retirement pension rights protected for the next 14 years under a proposed transitional scheme which allows the Executive to comply with a European...
Ofsted has urged schools, colleges and local authorities to follow the example of the best and make self-evaluation an integral part of their management systems.
Ministers expect to save £7bn from the overhaul of welfare systems announced this week cash that they believe could be reinvested directly back into services.
