The English local audit crisis means the government is “flying blind” and failing to monitor the worsening financial health of local authorities, according to an influential group of MPs.
A borough council more than £1bn in debt is failing its Best Value duties, according to the government, meaning it could see commissioners sent in to oversee improvement.
Falling life expectancy can only be tackled by a greater emphasis on prevention and a strengthened role for local government in improving health outcomes, researchers have argued.
NHS England is to be abolished with health services brought under direct government control as part of a drive to cut red tape and free up resources for the front line.
The legislation relating to Section 114 notices for councils in financial distress is no longer fit for purpose and in some cases has left authorities worse off, MPs have been told.
The Scottish Fiscal Commission can play an important role in educating the population as the country faces “escalating challenges” to its economy and public finances, according to a review by the...
More than 20 local bodies have still failed to publish audited accounts more than two months after the first backstop deadline despite a last-minute flurry of activity.
The financial position of Scotland’s integration joint boards has become increasingly precarious, with a funding gap of over £450m projected for this financial year, according to analysis.
The government has failed to take urgent action to address record crown court backlogs, with “devastating” consequences for victims and their families, according to an influential group of MPs.
Six projects have been awarded the first tranche of transformation funding from the UK government to the Northern Irish Executive in the hope that they will reform public services.
Better scrutiny arrangements have meant the expired Best Value notice issued to the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority last year will not be renewed.
The government has been urged to rethink its fiscal strategy in the light of its decision to raid international development budgets to fund a boost in defence spending.
Action by councils to tackle climate change is being thwarted by lack of resources and a “fragmented, short-term funding landscape”, according to the government’s statutory adviser on achieving net...
The cost of running libraries remains a “significant challenge” despite income from the service rising by almost a fifth over the past financial year, CIPFA has said.
Auditors have issued a statutory recommendation to Cumberland Council to address the capacity challenges in its finance team, to help complete years of outstanding work relating to the three former...
