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 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
The Local Government Association has warned ministers of 'potentially substantial' hidden costs of proposals to combat antisocial behaviour, outlined in the prime minister's 'respect' action plan...
A blow to spending on social care services threatens a deterioration in quality of life for carers and users, but a new grant could protect this vulnerable group and ease some of the pressures on...
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.
The Department for Education and Skills is putting 'unreasonable pressure' on councils in an effort to push through the controversial academy schools programme, a teaching union claims.
Inadequate performance management systems and a lack of leadership from elected members are hobbling attempts to modernise the fire service, the Audit Commission has warned.
The trail being blazed by Local Area Agreements will be crucial to the contents of the forthcoming white paper on councils, the local government minister revealed this week.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has admitted that her department 'mishandled' its instruction to strategic health authorities last year, telling them rapidly to reorganise the provision and...
Scotland's new national transport agency will be responsible for a £3bn programme of investment including new rail and road links, Transport Minister Tavish Scott announced this week.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has acknowledged that cuts in primary care services are now creating a 'real problem' for social services departments.
