Internal auditing standards in Scottish councils have improved over the past three years but performance varies considerably and there needs to be further progress, an Accounts Commission report has...
Critics have rounded on the government's five-year plan to slash crime rates, claiming many initiatives require longer-term solutions and dismissing others as mere 'gimmicks'.
The theft of prison officers' addresses in an alleged IRA spying operation at Stormont has cost at least £30m, Northern Ireland Finance Minister Ian Pearson has announced.
Business leaders have warned that public sector pensions often regarded as gold standard retirement plans are not likely to be sustainable in the long term.
The code governing secondary school admissions is 'toothless' and has allowed some schools to introduce an unofficial form of academic selection, MPs said this week.
Council leaders claimed this week that major reform of the local government finance system could be 'kicked into the long grass' as ministers announced a further inquiry after the 15-month Balance of...
A national 'pay-as-you-drive' scheme to fund Britain's roads could replace a combination of road, vehicle licensing and fuel taxes within two decades, the government has announced.
The government agreed in principle to end the two-tier workforce across all public services this week after senior Cabinet ministers and the business lobby dropped their opposition.
The basis for awarding foundation status to high-performing NHS trusts was thrown into disarray this week after four of the 20 foundation trusts were stripped of their three-star ratings.
Local authorities' role as providers of social care could be marginalised under proposals being considered by social services minister Stephen Ladyman.
Shadow chancellor Oliver Letwin has dismissed as 'absurd' claims that measurements of Whitehall productivity can be changed to reflect accurately 'value added' improvements in services.
NHS trusts have made only limited progress in reducing hospital-acquired infections over the past four years, despite the high profile given to the issue, government auditors have said.
The Conservatives would scrap both Best Value and the Comprehensive Performance Assessment system for councils, but have reached no decision on what they would put in their place.
Britain's ever-expanding child obesity problems are not being helped by inconsistent teaching on food and nutrition for the very young, a report by watchdogs claimed this week.
The newly elected senior executive of the Public and Commercial Services union is to meet next week to plan what it promises will be a 'hard-hitting and long-term campaign' to challenge the...
Councils and health bodies need to ensure there are sufficient services to meet the future needs of Scotland's ageing population, an Audit Scotland report says.
CIPFA announced this week that it is undertaking exploratory talks on a possible merger with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and the Chartered Institute of...
The six authorities capped by local government minister Nick Raynsford were angrily preparing to issue new council tax bills this week after their appeals were turned down.
