Town hall finance chiefs are retreating from the challenges thrown up by local government reform, according to the man reviewing the function and funding of councils.
From protecting care home standards to saving people from torture, the Human Rights Act touches on all aspects of public life. Yet it is under fierce attack. Nick Pearce examines why
Scotland's deputy auditor general is renowned as a cool, strategic thinker, a quality she will bring to CIPFA as the institute's new president. Mike Thatcher reports
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...
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 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.
The Office for National Statistics faces a series of strikes by staff opposed to its relocation and job cut plans, after two civil service trade unions this week balloted members over industrial...
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.
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.
Research shows how tough prison can be on families but Sharon Berry's charity, Storybook Dads, has gone a long way towards bringing inmates and their children closer together. Joseph McHugh reports
As all the parties compete for a fresh image, the LibDems have taken a lead by appointing England's youngest MP as a top Treasury spokeswoman. Vivienne Russell talked to her
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...
As Prime Minister Tony Blair called in health chiefs for a summit on deficits on April 12, new evidence of serious problems emerged with a damning report on the NHS in Wales.
Schools and dental services are to be the prime beneficiaries of the extra £45m granted to the Welsh Assembly government in Chancellor Gordon Brown's budget.
Critics of choice in public services claim that ordinary people don't want it. Quite the opposite, argues Julian Le Grand it's the least well-off who stand to gain the most
