Extra GP appointments, a “cost of living guarantee” and the scrapping of peak rail fares have been given top priority in the Scottish Government’s legislative programme for the next year.
An end to the “public shaming” of councils in financial distress has been critical to reducing the number of S114 notices issued across the sector, according to local government minister Jim McMahon.
Any government reform to adult social care is doomed to fail unless ministers accept major investment is needed to overhaul a “broken” system, according to MPs.
The UK is storing up increasing economic risks through under-investment in adapting infrastructure, agriculture and healthcare to climate change, according to a government advisor.
Health services in Wales must urgently improve or face high risks to patient safety and poor value for taxpayers’ money, a group of ministerial advisors has warned.
Local authorities may be missing out on opportunities to prevent ill-health and boost wellbeing because they are struggling to make the investment case for preventative digital care.
Two-thirds of complex and strategically significant government projects have not been properly evaluated to learn lessons and hold ministers accountable for their delivery, a task force review...
Growth forecasts for the UK have been downgraded as it grapples with domestic economic challenges as well as the “major negative shock” hitting global markets in the wake of threatened US trade...
Rushing through reorganisation proposals amid widespread apathy and misunderstanding risks exacerbating the crisis of trust in local government, a leading sector think-tank has warned.
The latest borrowing figures show the “clear risk” run by the government in adhering to its fiscal rules despite the uncertainty of official forecasts, analysts have warned.
Any pay rise above the 3.2% now on the table for council workers would be “well beyond” the level of affordability of many authorities, local government employers have said.
International aid from official donors has fallen for the first time in five years, dropping by 7.1% in real terms in 2024, according to preliminary data.
Local authorities are backing government moves to ban the public sector from making ransomware payments but want to see stronger obligations imposed on suppliers.
