David Blunkett has signalled his scepticism over claims by a number of organisations that the bedrock of a reformed pensions system should be more generous and non-means tested state provision.
The rise in emergency admissions and the problem of patients who cancel their operations have contributed to the under-use of day surgery facilities, the NHS Confederation claimed this week.
Successive governments have been too eager to hold on to power at the expense of local communities, the new minister in charge told the Local Government Association conference in Harrogate.
The government's decision to cap the budgets of eight English councils has prompted warnings of service cuts and complaints about the cost of rebilling.
Councils are unable to keep pace with the demands placed on their social care services despite their best efforts, local government leaders warned this week.
Transport secretary Alistair Darling's decision to drop planned road charging for lorries has drawn fire from both the haulage industry and environmentalists.
Sir Robin Wales, the mayor of Newham, the London borough where much of the 2012 Olympics will take place, pledged that it would be working 'flat out' to ensure the games are a success.
Senior civil servants have called on the Home Office to take a 'robust approach' in dealing with senior official Louise Casey, following her ill-considered comments on antisocial behaviour policies.
Financial penalties will be imposed on Northern Ireland health trusts that do not treat patients within target times, health minister Shaun Woodward has announced.
Patients are willing to ignore the government's flagship choice initiative in favour of receiving better hospital care, according to a report published this week.
The Department for Transport should look beyond the civil service to ensure value for money in the train industry following the abolition of the Strategic Rail Authority, MPs have said.
Claims by academics that the Barnett funding formula will lead to a squeeze on Scotland's budget have been rejected by a leading commentator on public finance.
The government must legislate as soon as possible to protect the impartiality of civil servants as the pressures they endure are 'greater than ever', the first civil service commissioner has warned.
James Plaskitt, the new benefits minister, has given the strongest indication yet that the Child Support Agency could continue to operate in its current form, despite calls for it to be closed.