A tool for local economic regeneration or an antisocial licence to print money? As competition hots up in the bidding war for the UK's first 'super-casino', Peter Hetherington talks to the councils...
The failure of List 99 to stop paedophiles working with children shocked parents and teachers and nearly did for the career of Education Secretary Ruth Kelly. Phil Revell asks whether the...
Ministers, local government employers and trade unions are set to launch a ground-breaking project with the aim of involving public sector staff in the government's reform programme.
The government has given the NHS and social care services five years to stamp out a pervasive negative culture of attitudes to older people which often results in poor quality care and neglect. But...
The environment dominated the local elections campaign this week as the political parties vied to demonstrate their green credentials in the run-up to polling day on May 4.
More than 1,700 low-paid female employees have won equal pay claims against Cumbria County Council. Estimates of the final payout range between £30m to £100m - substantially more than the £8m the...
Finance Minister Tom McCabe has raised doubts about the Scottish Executive's plans for public sector reform by suggesting that its long-awaited 'think-piece' document might be further delayed.
Civil service trade unions this week accused the Department for Work and Pensions of withdrawing a commitment to avoid compulsory redundancies in implementing the government's £40bn efficiency...
Despite moves from the European Commission to water down its controversial services directive, concerns remain that it will still lead to the market liberalisation of some public services including...
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has said it will act on businesses' criticisms of the new local authority licensing regime but only when the police and residents have had their say.
The next Conservative government will not run public services 'from a desk in Whitehall' and will give frontline organisations the freedom to make decisions in response to local circumstances, Oliver...
Two deficit-ridden primary care trusts in Wiltshire have withdrawn up to £3m of social care funding from the local authority with just 14 hours' notice.
Unions this week suspended plans for strikes in the lead-up to the local elections, following what they called a 'very positive move forward' in the dispute over the local government pension scheme.
Flooding, terrorism and an oil depot explosion have all wreaked havoc in the past few years. So how can public bodies use continuity planning to prepare for such disasters in the future? Ronan Ball...
Below-inflation staged pay awards. A new government committee to vet all deals. Is this an incomes policy in all but name? Alastair Hatchett explains why and how the Treasury is getting tough on...
Whitehall's Departmental Capability Reviews should take account of the experience and views of local government, according to a former council chief executive.
Government attempts to speed up planning decisions must not overlook the need for house building to keep pace with economic growth, social landlords said this week.
A top firm of accountants is being called in to examine the finances of Scottish Enterprise after the disclosure that the economic development agency has overspent by £30m.
Labour and the Liberal Democrats this week set out their stalls for the local elections on May 4 and immediately attacked one another's record in local government.
Councils hoping to set up an arm's-length management organisation or transfer their homes to a housing association will be able to submit bids following next month's local elections.
