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Title Date Posted Teaser

A black cloud |

18/05/2012 CloudStore was meant to make it easier and cheaper for the...|
     

Enforcing emission cuts|

17/05/2012 Mandating local authorities into implementing plans to...|
     

Winning moves?|

16/05/2012 Ed Miliband feels more confident in asserting his leadership, following...|
     

The skill of scaremongering|

15/05/2012 As Nick Clegg seems to 'soften' his stance on regional pay, suggesting a...|
     
Ralph Reynolds| 14/05/2012 Whitehall mutuals|

Mind the gap |

14/05/2012 If the pupil premium is to effectively close the gap between disadvantaged...|

Snags and hitches|

10/05/2012 New organisational structure can disrupt services, especially if...|

Laying down the law|

09/05/202 The Queen's Speech, in the Labour years, was always packed with... |
Charlie Cadman| 08/05/2012 DfT consultation on Street Works Qualifications|
     

Distribution and redistribution|

08/05/2012

A return to the contributory principle for social security sounds like a...|

     

Measuring the immeasurable |

01/05/2012

Should better teachers receive higher pay?|

     
Charles Tilley| 30/05/2012 PAC attack on government strategy|

Mutual benefits|

30/05/2012 Is the new mutual launched by Whitehall a first step towards more...|

Equal encouragement? |

27/05/2012 New figures suggest that only 44% of state school teachers encourage...|

Handle with care|

26/05/2012

Data breaches are more common in the public sector, it has been...|

     
Rain or shine| 25/04/2012 The sudden changes in environment, especially in the south west...|
     

A wealth of wellbeing |

24/04/2012 Oxfam's new Humankind Index offers an 'improved' measure of...|
     
Network Rail fined for Elsenham level crossing incident| 23/04/2012 The public in general behaving without due care and attention for their own...|

Safety blankets |

23/04/2012 The need to ensure there is enough money to deal with unexpected...|

Vote for voting|

20/04/2012 The House of Lords is one of those irritating things that is offensive to almost all...|
     

Two wheels good|

19/04/2012 Most people agree that cycling is beneficial to individual cyclists, and...|
     

From mandatory to voluntary|

18/04/2012 Ensuring the Green Deal remains a voluntary scheme is a staggering...|
     
Metal Theft| 17/04/2012 Metal crime has reached epidemic proportions across the UK. An...|
   
Ian Stone| 16/04/2012 Ageing populations|
     

Taxing dilemmas|

16/04/2012 Government plans to impose caps on tax-free income to prevent...|
     

Expecting bombshells|

12/04/2012 With the IMF's warning that there is a bombshell to come in...|
     

Building a Big Society|

04/04/2012 So the Big Society is finally here; Cameron has launched a new fund and...|
     
Roger A Barton| 02/04/2012 Should the police have the right to strike?|
   

Anonymous answers |

02/04/2012 If the Scottish Government is to identify identical responses...|
     
Cotton wool culture| 30/03/2012 The National Trust's new report highlights the importance of nature...|
     

Early warnings|

29/03/2012 Raising public awareness ahead of a significant change can...|
     

Pointing the finger|

28/03/2012 The causes of the riots are varied and deep-rooted, as the new...|
     

Cutting tape…and trees?|

27/03/2012 The revised planning framework is expected to restate its presumption...|
     
Brian Baker| 26/03/2012 Privatisation of roads|
     

The sun is the limit |

26/03/2012

The battle in the courts to prevent the Government from implementing...|
     

Should police officers have the right to strike?|

23/03/2012 Members of the Police Federation are currently being balloted on...|
     

Moving away from monolingualism |

22/03/2012 The UK's stubborn monolingualism is limiting opportunities for its...|
     

Tax the rich?|

21/03/2012 Should the country's highest earners be given a cut in the rate...|
     

The best we can hope for?|

20/03/2012 At a time when budgets are being squeezed and cut...|
     
Alan Kirkham| 19/03/2012

EU Public Procurement Directive|

Private providers |

19/03/2012 The plans to lease out roads to private companies are the latest in...|
     

Digital dichotomy |

16/03/2012 The Home Office has been criticised for the decision to...|
     

Too soft, too hard|

14/03/2012 It seems as if the police cannot win, whichever way they turn...|
     

The costs of savings|

13/03/2012 The line between pressuring councils to make savings and maintaining...|
     
Jonathan Michael Colwill| 12/03/2012 'Prisoners straight into work programme' |
     

One more time |

12/03/2012 The final, final proposals for public sector pensions have...|
     

Olympics-sized cost over-runs. |

09/03/2012 The Public Accounts Committee into the costs of the Olympics has...|
     

Thinking for today, not tomorrow|

08/03/2012 More nuclear power sites are being planned, in spite of flooding...|
     

Rescuing savings |

07/03/2012 The Government's attempts to implement shared services and save...|
     

Outcomes and upshots|

06/03/2012 Two very different public sector news stories today both emphasise...|
     
Mark Robinson| 05/03/2012 The new EU Public Procurement Directive|
     

Public & private?|

05/03/2012

The rise in public service contracts being opened to bids from private...|

     

Trust together |

01/03/2012 Too often, public sector employees can pass responsibility...|
     

The importance of Plan B|

29/02/2012 The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission has...|
     

How much power is enough?|

28/02/2012 A new group suggests that the best way forward for Scotland is devo...|
     
Robin Wickenden| 27/02/2012

Rail replacement buses|

     

A flood of responsibility|

27/02/2012 With flooding risk set to rise due to climate change, insurance...|
     

Smoke and mirrors|

23/02/2012 Could enforcing plain packaging on cigarettes really dissuade...|
     

Selective scheming|

21/02/2012 The Deputy Prime Minister's plan to launch a scheme aimed at getting Neet...|
     
Dom Potter| 20/02/2012 Spinning into social value|
     

Think before you cut|

20/02/2012 Employing agency staff to fill positions that have just been cut in the...|
     

Demand and supply |

17/02/2012 University recruitment soared last year as students tried to get in before...|
     

Raising expectations |

16/02/2012 The latest ONS statistics demonstrate the need to reform pensions...|
     

Time to Act?|

15/02/2012 Evidence on the benefits the FOI Act has brought is mixed, and...|
     

Hidden truths |

14/02/2012 The figures that the TUC has suggested constitute the...|
     
James Crossen|  13/02/2012 Network Rail bonuses 'unacceptable'|
     

The demands of success |

13/02/2012 Controversy surrounding public sector bonuses continues to grow...|
     

A nudge in the right direction|

10/02/2012 New trials have shown that nudge theory is actually having a significant...|
     

Striking a deal |

08/02/2012 Following the recent pattern of decentralisation, Liverpool...|
     

How to measure happiness|

07/02/2012 As the second phase of consultation for the nation's wellbeing closes, the...|
     
Brian Baker| 06/02/2012

£40m deal for 25 new West Midlands trams...|

     

Today and tomorrow|

06/02/2012 Should renewable energy sources be a priority at a time when the...|
     

Go green, or else|

02/02/2012 Recent Government proposals could see an overhaul of building...|
     

Time to spend|

01/02/2012 Clarity is an essential element of allocating funding to local authorities...|
     

Flood of concern|

31/01/2012 Flooding is a major concern for the millions of people whose homes...|
     
Jonathan Bates| 30/01/2012 Court of Appeal decision on feed-in tariff|

Money and time |

30/01/2012 As the new NAO report into police mobile devices suggests, having the...|
     

Not so superfast |

27/01/2012 'Insufficient' progress on broadband plans in three areas of England could...|
     

Baseline assumptions|

26/01/2012 Since the Climate Change Risk Assessment report is from a baseline, assuming...|
     

Stop and think|

25/01/2012 There will be further confusion for residents with solar panels on their...|
     

Taking chances|

24/01/2012 There will always be risks involved in large scale changes, and the...|
     
Karen Marcroft | 23/01/2012 Surely it doesn't take an Environmental Science Masters degree...|
     

Breaking the cycle|

23/01/2012 The Centre for Cities report this morning showing the gap...|
     

Making predictions |

20/01/2012 Eliminating quangos could be more costly than Government originally...|
   
Share and share alike| 19/01/2012 Achieving a 'moral capitalism' in our economy is the current debate...|
     

Satisfactory or not?|

17/01/2012 The news that Ofsted is seeking to change the way it labels the...|
     
Peter Williams| 16/01/2012

Civitas wind power report|

     

Punishment to fit the crime |

16/01/2012 Should councils be allowed to fine residents for minor bin collection infringements?|
     

Seeking social mobility|

12/01/2012 Nick Clegg's social mobility campaign is seeking to improve...|
     

The greater good?|

11/01/2012 Changes to Welsh constituencies may seek to equalise the numbers of...|
     
Sean Duggan| 09/01/2012 Redressing inequalities in the criminal justice system|
     

The winds of change|

09/01/2012 The Government's focus on renewable energy sources such as...|
   

Rejecting reductions|

05/01/2012 A committee of Lords and MPs have rejected Government...|
     
Hit the brakes| 22/12/2011 Under criticism that they should have predicted both the popularity...|
     

Not so simple|

21/12/2011

First it was too complicated, now it's too simple.|

     

Human worth |

20/12/2011 The new report from the ONS suggests both that human knowledge and...|
     
Gary Wood | 19/12/2011 Westminster City Council's 'Civic contract' |
     

Compromise to change |

19/12/2011 Plans for an elected upper house could see a new wave of democracy...|
   

Shifting the blame|

16/12/2011 By providing a large amount of funding for troubled families, David Cameron...|
     
Constructing criteria | 15/12/2011 Measurement and specific targets are essential in Government to...|
   

Small society|

14/12/2011 Should the big society focus more on smaller groups that want...|
     

Consumer culture |

13/12/2011 The Actual Individual Consumption (AIC) measure suggests that...|
     
Gary Wood| 12/12/2011 Cause of the riots|
     

Change their minds |

12/12/2011 In some ways, giving priority and more benefits to people who give...|
     

Shifting the blame|

09/12/2011 The introduction of a requirement for public approval of council tax...|
     

Drawing the line |

08/12/2011 The inquiry into the claims that examiners are giving teachers specific...|
     

One size does not fit all|

07/12/2011 The Work Foundation has highlighted the London-centric perspective of the...|
     

Running interference |

06/12/2011

What exactly will the new policing policy review achieve? |

     
Michael Stephens| 05/12/2011 Public sector strikes |
Cause and effect | 05/12/2011 A new study on the causes of the riots suggests the answers...|
     

Long term gains |

02/12/2011 The reduction of solar panel subsidies and extra funding for...|
     

Face the consequences |

01/12/2011 It seems even significant industrial action cannot get...|
     

Power of predictions |

29/11/2011 With George Osborne set to make his Autumn Statement this...|
     

Spend or save? |

28/11/2011 The new national infrastructure plan could be celebrated for further investment...|
     
Martina Doolan| 28/11/2011 Strike legislation reform and minimum turnout thresholds|
     

The whole package |

25/11/2011 Cross-party support has enabled the Social Value Bill to pass through the...|
     

Black and white |

24/11/2011 Nick Clegg's speech on the 'racial ceiling' that still exists in the UK will hopefully...|
     
Lost property| 23/11/2011 New research demonstrates that councils lose a worrying amount of...|
     

Every penny counts|

22/11/2011 Today the main political parties will resume the prickly debate concerning...|
     
Siobhain O'Donnell| 21/11/2011 Care Quality Commission (CQC)|
     

Breaking the poverty cycle |

21/11/2011 With one in five children estimated to be living in poverty at...|
     

Paying the price|

18/11/2011 Public sector cuts in Ireland have come as no surprise, in a...|
     

Relinquishing restriction |

17/11/2011

The results of a direct access consultation suggest that the public greatly...|

     

Financial motivation |

16/11/2011 Research from the University of Sheffield demonstrates the worth...|
     
Talk of change| 15/11/2011 David Cameron's speech at the Lord Mayor's Banquet...|
     
Tim Harding| 14/11/2011 Public sector cuts|
     

Their safety in our hands|

14/11/2011

The US apparently feels the need to send over hundreds of its own security...|

     
Silenced| 11/11/2011

Are we happy to ban non-violent groups because what they do or say is...|

     

Fair reward|

10/11/2011

Will strike action force a Government re-think on changes to pensions?|

     

Open door|

08/11/2011

Just how effective are tougher border controls in actually preventing...|

     
Mark Serwotka| 07/11/2011 Border checks allegations|
     

Legitimate choice|

07/11/2011

Many high-profile union strike ballots have their legitimacy questioned...|

     

Should failing to register to vote become an offence?|

04/11/2011

Fines currently exist to ensure the head of a household registers...|

     

Anticipation |

02/11/2011 The new offer for unions on public sector pension reform could avert...|
     
Andrew Sissons| 01/11/2011 0.5% growth|
     

Early intervention|

01/11/2011 Theresa May's suggestion that early intervention is necessary to help tackle...|
     

Less is more|

31/10/2011 The Government is facing criticism for failing to reduce the number of ministers...|
     

Straight to the source|

27/10/2011 A report has shown the importance of working to keep children...|
     

Shifting perspective|

26/10/2011 Social value is obviously something to aspire to...|
     

Tarnished victory |

25/10/2011 So the Government won the vote, but at what cost? |
     
Sheila Bees| 24/10/2011

Parenting classes|

     

Time for independence?|

24/10/2011

The Scottish National Party has announced the launch of its...|

     
Fluctuating fees| 21/10/2011 The news that some universities are considering reducing...|
     

Paper-free|

20/10/2011 Everything is going online these days, as the rush to get everyone on board...|
     

Spare rooms|

19/10/2011 Should the elderly be 'persuaded' out of their family homes...|
     

Under threat|

18/10/2011

Planning reforms; the key to economic success, or another opportunity...|

     
Brian Harvey| 17/10/2011 Pensions|
     

Swallow your pride|

17/10/2011 The trial of parenting classes to start next year could greatly improve children's life |
     

Best of the best|

14/10/2011 The number of top A-level grades could be limited, meaning students...|
     

We all need to make sacrifices|

13/10/2011 Again MPs are complaining about the cuts to their numbers and the reshuffling...|
   
Open wide| 12/10/2011 The National Planning Policy Framework has been criticised today, for...|
     
Don't lose speed| 11/10/2011

The Government is concerned that the rate of cutting carbon emissions could be...|

     
Peter Osborne|
10/10/2011 DWP budget|
     

No compromise|

10/10/2011 Public sector workers and the Government continue to struggle over talks...|
     

The benefit of benefits|

07/10/2011 Providing childcare support for low-income families who work less than...|
     

Unofficially speaking |

06/10/2011 Further concern over unofficial exclusions of schoolchildren demonstrates that...|
     

Broadening horizons|

05/10/2011

The Health Professions Council's Welsh Language Scheme has been...|

     

The right replacement?|

04/10/2011 The Coalition is under strain again this week, as the Conservatives pull...|
     
Henry Law| 03/10/2011 HS2|
     

Practical solutions|

03/10/2011 A former chief inspector of schools has suggested that the leaving age...|
     
Baggage | 30/09/2011 The carrier bag charge starting in Wales tomorrow has...|
     

Longer living|

29/09/2011

The news that there are more centenarians in the UK than ever...|

     

Culture change |

28/09/2011 Ed Miliband is the latest to speak out about the need for a fundamental...|
     

Seeking support|

27/09/2011

Unions have asserted that their members will "never forgive" Labour...|

     
Peter Osborne| 26/09/2011 Cost cutting|
 

Empty promises|

26/09/2011

Ed Miliband has stated that if Labour were in power today, a £6,000 cap would...|

     

Covering the costs|

23/09/2011 The new scheme for processing MPs' expense claims has been...|
     
Phones for all| 22/09/2011 The news that one in ten parents believes it is appropriate for a child...|
     
Laying the blame| 20/09/2011 Principals and the Association of Colleges have blamed a 'slowing' in college...|
     
Richard Hawley| 19/09/2011 Cutting the number of MPs|
     
The truth hurts| 19/09/2011 The Liberal Democrat party conference this weekend has seen the rise of...|
     

Toeing the line|

16/09/2011 The results from a new survey on parent and student opinion on the level...|
     

Material world|

15/09/2011 New research shows that parents in the UK are spending money they can't...|
     

Something's got to give|

14/09/2011 It seems no-one at the TUC conference was listening to Ed Miliband as he...|
     

Change is hard|

13/09/2011 The proposed shake-up of MPs' seats has resulted in many angry politicians...|
     
Gerry Colverson| 12/09/2011 Health and safety in schools|
     
Hidden costs| 12/09/2011 Civitas' new report shows how pension providers manipulate the ignorance of...|
     

Necessary sacrifices?|

09/09/2011 Think tank Reform's assertion that 400,000 public sector job cuts could easily be...|
     

Freedom of search|

07/09/2011

The use of IT and new technology is highly restricted in the public sector, which...|

     
Making priorities | 06/09/2011

A new AIA survey shows that 90% of local councillors...|

     

Paying the price|

05/09/2011

Scotland is starting to increase tuition fees for students from England, Wales...|

     
Derek Stephen| 05/09/2011 Policy response to the riots|
     
Spare the Rod|

02/09/2011 

Michael Gove's suggestion that the regulation of force in schools...|

     

Under pressure|

01/09/2011

With the majority of new free schools opening next week, pupils can look...|

     

Spreading the word|

31/08/2011

The number of people who remain unaware of the impending pension reforms...|

     

Home sweet home|

30/08/2011 The trouble hitting the housing market is especially divisive when it comes to age...|
     

The slippery slope|

26/08/2011

Dealing with issues before they escalate into more serious problems is the idea...|

     

The work is not enough|

25/08/2011 The news that the number of youths not in education, employment or training...|
     

Rose-tinted glasses|

24/08/2011 The delays reported from financial services firms reflect a common human failing. If...|
     

Rewriting the book|

23/08/2011 Many schoolchildren only read texts, or websites, instead of novels, a new...|
     

Setting your targets too high|

22/08/2011 The news that many employment organisations could end up completely...|
     

To cull or not to cull?|

19/08/2011

Controversy over the Government's plans to undertake a badger cull has emerged...|

     

Pick 'n' mix sentencing|

18/08/2011 The variation in the sentencing of rioters throughout England has been severely...|
     

Enough is enough|

17/08/2011

Disagreement has broken out over the severity of sentencing for rioters, raising...|

     

If you cut us, we will bleed|

16/08/2011 A new report highlights the consequences of Government plans to cut the police...|

We can work it out|

15/08/2011

The news that Labour have criticised the amount of apprenticeships created...|

     

A house for a house|

12/08/2011 The first petition to gain consideration for debate in the commons has been...|
     

Don't shoot the messenger|

11/08/2011 Today's parliamentary debate has raised the issue of social media as a network...|
     

We need a hero|

09/08/2011 After the news that an extremely experienced and competent officer...|
     

Maths for the mainstream|

08/08/2011 Carol Vorderman and co have called for maths education to be extended until...|
     

Selective truths|

05/08/2011

Action for Children has published statistics that they are using to support a campaign...|

     

Speak, and we shall listen|

04/08/2011 The power of the petition has been let loose today with the Government's new...|
     

Say it twice|

03/08/2011

Consultation has begun on the proposal to provide bilingual services in the Welsh...|

     

The language of politics|

02/08/2011 Critics have responded to Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude's release of ...|
     

Save yourselves|

01/08/2011 The news about pensioners facing a 'bleak old age' may be a warning to some to...|
     

Shrinking the MoD|

29/07/2011 Thousands more civilian jobs are going at the MoD, which has now long held...|
     

Behind closed doors|

28/07/2011

Fresh thinking, blue skies ideas, out-of-the-box creativity – a good thing behind...|

     

Fit to work?|

27/07/2011

Both 'sides' in the debate over employment support and the fitness-to-work tests...|

     

Shrinking growth|

26/07/2011 Economic growth seems to be seriously stuttering – but we already knew that...|
     

Voting on how to vote|

18/07/2011 There were murmurs of surprise – and I think I even heard one whoop of delight...|
     

A private matter|

13/07/2011

Opening up public services to competition is not a bad idea in theory, and nor is the...|

     

Marriage of inconvenience|

11/07/2011 Divisions clearly remain at the top of the Coalition over public services reform...|
     

Doing the right thing with data|

08/07/2011 This blog usually stands up for local government in the face of ministerial...|
     

Right noises, wrong moves|

06/07/2011

Radical devolution of power and funding to the local level, long a staple of Coalition...|

     

Dithering over Dilnot|

05/07/2011 It is rare for The Raven to blog about the same issue two days in a row, but then...|
     

Saving for the future|

04/07/2011

The Government says the core of its agenda – cutting the deficit – is to boost Britain's...|

     

Contagious enthusiasm|

01/07/2011

Many speakers noted an atmosphere of positivity and get-up-and-go at the LGA...|

     
A fair cop| 29/06/2011

A BBC investigation has reported that six UK police forces have seen their...|

     

More openness required|

28/06/2011

The Raven reported on June 1 of the 'screening out' of serious crimes that is...|

     

A lesson in politics|

27/06/2011 It's a common political tactic – pretending to want to calm tensions while actually...|
     

Cap in hand, foot in mouth|

24/06/2011 The young Labour leader of York City Council has asked for an advance on...|
     

All clear for nuclear?|

23/06/2011 The list of new sites for power stations has been released by the Government...|
     

What exactly are we seeing?|

22/06/2011

The Government's been accused of making another U-turn, this time on the...|

     

Striking out|

21/06/2011

Unions have a duty to represent their members' interests, and there is no...|

     

The ties that bind|

20/06/2011 The much-delayed open public services White Paper will be out within weeks... |
     

In two minds|

17/06/2011 The open public services White Paper apparently will now appear after all...|
     

Looking up|

16/06/2011 On the day Education Secretary Michael Gove sets out proposals to turn the...|
     

A union of a different kind|

15/06/2011 At the same time as union after union is lining up to tell the nation its members...|
     

Recycling an old argument|

14/06/2011 The BBC seems to have been briefed that ministers have conceded that councils...|
     

Power cut|

13/06/2011 If any other part of the public sector claimed it could save £100bn by 2015...|
     

Solar flare|

10/06/2011 The changes to funding for solar power means that large scale installations now...|
     
Misinterpreting money matters| 09/06/2011 Thomas Spielhofer, author of the report which justified the Government's axing...|
     

Back or forth?|

08/06/2011 The list of Government U-turns has grown rapidly in the past few weeks, to the...|
     
Tread carefully| 07/06/2011 The IMF has welcomed Chancellor George Osborne's austerity measures...|
     

Turkeys voting for Christmas?|

06/06/2011 The Coalition, already working on a supposedly more business-like and less...|
     
Alive and well; the war on the motorist| 03/06/2011 The Coalition has proudly stated on a number of occasions that the war on the...|
     

Nature breaking the boundaries|

02/06/2011 The National Ecosystem Assessment (NEA) has issued a report suggesting...|
     

Wasting police time|

01/06/2011 The way we police in the UK is becoming a rather fascinating, maddening and...|
     

Too much democracy?|

31/05/2011 The House of Lords is up in arms. Peers from across the political spectrum are...|
     

A bumpy ride|

26/05/2011 The Audit Commission's report on road maintenance highlights something...|
     

What price stupidity?|

25/05/2011 It has emerged that a Kent woman has been 'politely' sent packing from an...|
     

Another broken promise?|

24/05/2011 Already the Government are set to fail. Promises made by Prime Minister...|
     

Say it again – and again|

23/05/2011 New Labour was often mocked and criticised for 'initiative-itis' – the need to...|
     

The rights legacy, or the wrong legacy?|

20/05/2011 The Liberal Democrats famously claimed the Labour administration of Tony Blair...|
     

A reasonable use of resources?|

19/05/2011 Yesterday, Detective Superintendent Tim Wills, of the Kent and Essex Serious...|
     

Confused Clarke|

19/05/2011

The Justice Secretary's comments on rape and reduced sentences for those who...|

     

Getting around to it|

18/05/2011 Environmentalists have been cheered this week by the news that ambitious...|
     

Families come first|

17/05/2011 The Government is striving to become more family orientated as their new...|
     

A good plan|

16/05/2011 The Departmental 'business plans' have been a qualified success for...|
     

Graduates underemployed and stagnating|

12/05/2011 The news that more graduates than ever are getting stuck in low-skill jobs is....|
     

More attacks on the public sector |

10/05/2011 Once again centre-right commentators and politicians are attempting to justify their...|
     

Shackled|

09/05/2011 It is revealing that the LGA focuses on potential cash savings when trying to...|
     

AV'in a bad day|

06/05/2011

Counting has started in the AV election referendum at 12 locations around the...|

     

Referendum strains coalition|

05/05/2011 The voting system for the future is being decided today. Results will show...|
     

Taking their time|

04/05/2011 Outside observers can hardly be blamed for confusion over public sector...|
     

A principled stance|

03/05/2011 Environment Secretary Chris Huhne has, apparently, tackled the Prime Minister...|
     

For whose benefit?|

28/04/2011 Recent figures suggest that 75% of benefit applicants either drop claims before...|
     

Credit the Coalition|

27/04/2011 Readers may be prone to believe UK economic growth has gone down...|
     

Stuck in a rut|

20/04/2011

The LGA says botched road repairs carried out by utilities companies are leaving...|

     

Brown gets the skulking fist|

19/04/2011 Gordon Brown based his political credibility on his economic nous. Tony Blair...|
     

Not news|

18/04/2011 The promise to have a referendum on the Alternative Vote system of electoral...|
     

Release the pressure|

15/04/2011 It is with some delight that we hear the High Court has judged the police's...|
     
Pensioners kept in the dark| 14/04/2011

It is estimated that 1.3 million pensioners are living in poverty in Britain. That is a...|

     

And your point is?|

13/04/2011 The inquest into the death of newspaper seller Ian Tomlinson during the London...|
     

Sir Simon Milton dies|

12/04/2011

I note with sadness the death, at the age of 49, of Sir Simon Milton who had a...|

     

Locally speaking|

11/04/2011

Are local authorities barriers to localism?|

     

Do you mind if I don't?|

08/04/2011

Over the past few years the Conservatives seemed to stall at 'Broken Britain' when...|

     

False Economy?|

07/04/2011 As more and more universities raise their tuition fees to the maximum limit of...|
     

Why politics is boring|

06/04/2011

It's not the politics, it's the reporting of it. Anyone sitting down to watch the news...|

     

Get it to work properly|

04/04/2011 There are ways to give people on sickness benefits positive help to get back into...|
     

Grandad, we love you|

01/04/2011 It seems the state pension is to rise, up from £132.60 to perhaps £155 by 2015 or...|
     

Road Rage|

31/03/2011

The shortfall in the nation's road maintenance budget has been highlighted...|

     

Artfully done|

30/03/2011 The funding decisions for the arts today have hardly suggested that a devastating...|
     

AV you had enough yet?|

29/03/2011 The Yes campaign for the Alternative Vote system got underway in earnest today...|
     

Have I got news for you? Not really.|

28/03/2011 At least 250,000 people are believed to have marched through the centre of ...|
     

An enterprising idea|

25/03/2011

How much will enterprise zones really drive growth?|

     

Planning for the future|

24/03/2011

There is, as always, a lot for the public sector to digest in the Budget...|

     

Levelling the playing field?|

22/03/2011

Outsourcing is about to take off in an even bigger way after a change in pay rules...|

     

Who runs Britain?|

21/03/2011 Are the plans for radical changes to public service delivery, bringing far more private...|
     

Pay packet peeping|

17/03/2011 The very fact that the Taxpayers' Alliance can compile an in-depth report into...|
     

Lending a hand|

16/03/2011 Good to hear councils getting a bit of praise on the radio this morning, thanks to an...|
     

Paying up|

15/03/2011 First thoughts on Will Hutton's public sector pay review – some good ideas; will...|
     

Healthy idea?|

14/03/2011 Doctors may be on their way to becoming managers, but councillors will become...|
     

Pay up, pay up|

11/03/2011

Councils are sitting on a debt mountain of more than £1bn in unpaid council...|

     

Hutton dressed as Cam|

10/03/2011 Chancellor George Osborne may have been shrewd to appoint a former Labour...|
     

How long until a council tax thaw|

09/03/2011

Would councils be freezing council tax without the cash incentives being offered...|

     

Keep your friends close|

08/03/2011 Sticking by promises made in the heat of election campaigns is particularly difficult...|
     
Shouting loudest| 07/03/2011 Was the war of words between the Government and local authorit...|

Able to enable|

03/03/2011 There is something almost noble about the ideas coming out of some councils to strip...|
     

Sticking to a budget|

02/03/2011 The savings having to be made by Birmingham beggar belief – but then, so...|
     

Conflicted priorities|

01/03/2011 More foreign aid will be going to countries that could impact the terror or security...|
     

Close scrutiny|

28/02/2011 Is the LGA whistling in the wind with its demands for other parts of the public...|
     

Some are more free than others|

25/02/2011

Will the 'free councils' idea increase inequality?|

     

Take a look around| 

24/02/2011 Can there be any real argument with communities minister Bob Neill's letter to...|
     

Pothole politics|

23/02/2011 So, councils' pothole budgets will have a smaller hole themselves thanks to a...|
     

Time wasting|

22/02/2011

Ministers probably feel they are standing up for householders when they criticise...|

     

Just the start?|

21/02/2011 Thousands of people – ordinary people, not just politicians and public sector workers...|
     

Enterprising idea|

18/02/2011 London was a hefty omission from the list of local enterprise partnerships – so it is...|
     

Wood you credit it?|

17/02/2011 When listening to the electorate is it a refreshing change or a sign of weak...|
     

No plan B?|

16/02/2011

When does the good news begin?|

     

The council news ban|

15/02/2011

Has the Government used a sledgehammer to crack a nut over council newspapers?|

     

Together we stand|

14/02/2011 Long-heralded plans for a merger of many services in three London boroughs...|
     

Heads in the sand|

11/02/2011 Councillors may have a few good points to make in their battle with Communities...|
     

Writing the wrongs|

10/02/2011 The scathing letter from Lib Dem council leaders, while ostensibly aimed at...|
     

Blame-throwing|

09/02/2011

They're at it again – blaming councils for the cuts...|

     

Building it up|

08/02/2011 The Government, like its predecessor, has talked a lot of good talk on housing – but...|
     

U-turning when they want to|

07/02/2011 There may be 'no Plan B' for the economy, but the number of individual proposals...|
     

Moving forward| 

04/02/2011 Transport Secretary Philip Hammond is a much more welcome face in local...|
     

Cut it out|     

03/02/2011   The commentators most supportive of the Government's deficit reduction plans are...|
     
Their way or the highway| 02/02/2011 Plans to devolve road classification to local authorities are another welcome symbol...|
     

Excessive abuse| 

01/02/2011 Is there a "culture of excess" in our local authorities – or is this just Eric Pickles...|
     

Whose back yard? |

31/01/2011 Will localism bring more opportunities for economic growth as businesses and...|
     

A shoulder to cry on|

28/01/2011 The Department for Communities and Local Government is among the brashest of...|
     

Hold the front page| 

27/01/2011

The debate over council newspapers gets to the heart of what local authorities are for...|

     

Sharing the pain| 

26/01/2011 For every council posting job cut notices these past few weeks, not many of them...|
     

Money down the drain?| 

25/01/2011 The Centre for Social Justice says billions of pounds have been spent on 'vague hopes'... |
     

Rubbish decisions|

24/01/2011 Another 13 councils have abandoned weekly bin collections – eight of them...|
     
It's a crime| 21/01/2011 Crime is down again, we are told – except sex o...|
     
Show them the money| 20/01/2011 With great power comes great responsibility, according to th...|
     

Open wide|

19/01/2011 Parenting lessons may be a good idea – even if they are the most literal example of...|
     

Show some initiative|

18/01/2011 Today's report on PFI projects surely tells us a lot of what we already knew – that it...|
     

College pay-outs|

17/01/2011 Will students really stay home from college if education maintenance payments are...|
     

All together now| 

14/01/2011 A pleasing number of councils, fire services and police authorities are now realising...| 
     

Worse to come|

13/01/2011 Was it a coincidence that the decision to axe 2,000 jobs on Manchester City...|
     

What's the benefit?|

12/01/2011

Long-term plans to amalgamate benefits into a universal single credit were never going...|

     

Police spy row|

11/01/2011 The police are accused of spending £2m and seven years infiltrating a group of...|
     

Guarding the guards|

10/01/2011 Do prisons need more staff? Of course, following the violent scenes at Ford prison...|
     

Open up|

07/01/2011

The Government is right to extend freedom of information laws...|

     

Water way to go|

06/01/2011

The resignation of the head of Northern Ireland Water over the water crisis there...|

     

Not talking rubbish|

05/01/2011 The Government is right to strike a populist note over rubbish collections. It has been...|
     

Incapable on incapacity|

04/01/2011

Around half a million people may have been chucked off incapacity benefit incorrectly...|

 

   

Snow chaos will mean tough decisions|

20/12/2010 Almost all councils tried to prepare for the icy weather this year, announcing a series...|
     

The bigger society|

13/12/2010 The much delayed Localism Bill is due to be published today. The Bill will devolve...|
     

CPA critical of PFI financing arrangements|

10/12/2010 The Committee of Public Accounts report on the financing of Private Finance...|
     
Government tax avoidance clampdown | 09/12/2010 The government has announced changes to legislation to tackle tax avoidance which...|
     
Labour's poor record| 08/12/2010 A new report published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows the number...|
     

Can't read, can't write|

07/12/2010 The UK fell from 17th to 25th for reading and from 24th to 28th for maths in...|
     

Pay back the Highland way|

06/12/2010 Over the recent spell of wintry weather, more than 60 offenders have been...|
     

There's more to underachievement than poverty|

03/12/2010 There is clearly a link between family income and underachievement but there...|
     

Can't we be more like Norway? No way.|

02/12/2010 Whenever heavy snowfall and icy conditions disrupt transport services, there is one...|
     
Too little, too late| 01/12/2010 The Hutton Fair Pay Review says that the public sector should be cautious about...|
     
Local control, better health| 30/11/2010 The White Paper, Healthy Lives, Healthy People sets out how funding from the...|
     
The Big Society comes to Surrey| 29/11/2010

Adverse weather conditions have been fostering a spirit of co-operation in Surrey...|

     

Nice work if you can get it|

26/11/2010 Job satisfaction has shown a surprise increase across UK workplaces during...|
     
Measuring well-being| 25/11/2010 The government has launched the debate on well-being to provide a fuller picture of ...|
     
Must do better| 24/11/2010 Ofsted has reported that the quality of teaching in schools and colleges is still too...|
     

A first class idea|

23/11/2010 Having saved itself £570,000 in postage costs since January 2009, Birmingham...|
     
Raising fines could backfire| 22/11/2010 Some councils in England and Wales have been lobbying the government for the right...|
     

Share it all around|

19/11/2010 I am glad to see that the government is spreading the 'wealth' so to speak with...|
     
Management needs to feel the pain too| 18/11/2010 Casting my eyes across the headlines this morning I cannot help but notice the...|
     

Just get to it|

17/11/2010 It is incredible to see how wasteful some processes in the public sector...|
     

Yo Dave!|

16/11/2010 So it appears that Cameron's coalition is trying to get down with the kids and launch...|
     

Power and responsibility|

15/11/2010 Now that councillors will be given more freedom around the matters on which...|
     

Time to step up|

12/11/2010 There are some very challenging times ahead for local government officials...|
     
Protests are an ugly harbinger| 11/11/2010

Yesterday's protest should have been a dignified display of defiance against...|

     

Its time for the Big Society|

10/11/2010 It does not surprise me to hear that many ministers do not understand the concept...|
     

Moaning about cuts won't get us anywhere|

09/11/2010 I am sick to death of every organisation under the sun constantly complaining...|
     

Job done|

08/11/2010 Thank goodness that our politicians have finally seen sense and decreed that...|
     
Put it to the people| 05/11/2010 Councils have been moaning a lot recently over having to cut services - so why not...|
     
Bad news for call centres| 04/11/2010 Universities in England will be able to charge students tuition fees of up to £9,000 per...|
     
Time for the dinosaurs to become extinct| 03/11/2010 It strikes me that the reforms which are needed to make society work...|
     
Cut money spent on junkets – not social care| 02/11/2010 I was horrified – but not surprised – to hear that council officials have been...|
     
Local government for local people| 01/11/2010 Whilst many people - especially in Labour Party and union circles...|
     
£400 a week? Seriously?| 29/10/2010 I cannot believe the uproar over the government's cap on housing benefit of...|
     
Benefits – fraud is hardly the problem| 28/10/2010 Whilst I feel that much is being done to tackle the subject of benefit...|
     
Councillors need to stop playing politics| 27/10/2010 Whilst I believe that the pay of senior management within local authorities should...|
     
Keep the money coming| 26/10/2010 At the moment it may seem strange that the government is...|
     
Salt of the earth| 25/10/2010 It appears that the ball is now firmly in the salt suppliers' court....|
     
The big freeze| 22/10/2010 Council tax payers will be overjoyed to hear that their council tax....|
     
No more, no less than we expected| 21/10/2010 Now that the CSR is over, the hard work will begin. All over Britain, councils....|
     
Why do we buy things we can't afford?| 20/10/2010 I am not a financial expert but I am slightly confused as to why...|
     
£200 million is small price to pay to safeguard local democracy| 19/10/2010 I am rather concerned about the attitude which some sections of the public sector... |
     
Time for freedom| 18/10/2010

There seems to be a new appetite for less paper work in councils...|

     
A cut too far| 15/10/2010 Four million pensioners could lose two thirds of their cold weather payments because...|
     
Acts of desperation| 14/10/2010 I am afraid that commissioning endless surveys to try to convince...|
     
Services need protecting, but so does the tax payer| 13/10/2010 Councils are going to have to cut their spending to a bare minimum - this means...|
     
Chase tax – don't cut services| 12/10/10 Why doesn't the government chase the tens of billions of pounds in tax revenue...|
     
Let's cut the tape| 11/10/10 I am always glad to hear of more red tape being cut.|
     
Let's keep up the good work| 08/10/10 The public sector is at risk of losing all of the public's |
     
Natural wastage is a blessing| 07/10/10 Whilst it might not be ideal to have council posts reduced, a...|
     
Suing over BSF? You will only benefit lawyers, not children| 06/10/10  Isn't it ironic that at a time when councils...|
     
Doth the council protest too much?| 05/10/10  Does anybody else feel that some councils...|
     
Come and have a look for yourself| 04/10/10

January 2011 will be a significant month in local politics because now mem....|

     
The councillors are in charge so why haven't their political parties paid for lobbyists in the past?| 01/10/10 First of all, well done again to Mr Pickles for banning lobbyist...|
     
Use the local press, not your own| 30/09/10 I have to say that the vitriol aimed at Eric Pickles...|
     
Scrap the propaganda| 29/09/10 I have no time for council newspapers – I find |
     
The art of listening…| 28/09/10 I am glad to hear that councils are launching public...|
     
A union man|
27/09/10 So Ed Miliband has won, has he?|

 

Would others do senior management's jobs for less?|

24/09/10

This was the question which I put to one local authority...|

 

Pot calling the kettle… well almost|

23/09/10

It was hard for me to contain my laughter whilst reading...|

 

Don't sell out Britain|

22/09/10

Now, I know things are bad at the moment but let's not get ...|

 

Look at the wage bill|

21/09/10 I have a problem with those who say that the public... |
     
We need to talk| 20/09/10 At the moment the public sector in Britain faces the greatest challe...|
     
Stay committed throughout the pain| 17/09/10 

There is no doubt that local government is going to have to shar...|

     
Local people making local decisions| 16/09/10

Forget using consultants who cost the earth to design community services – why no...|

     
The public are angry at YOU too| 15/09/10 I fail to see why how the unions dare make mention of the transgressions of bank...|
     
Public service means just that| 14/09/10 There has been a lot of talk about how public services need to be protec...|
     
Just saying no isn't helping anyone| 13/09/10 I was disappointed, but not surprised, to hear all of the sabre rattling coming from th...|
     
Don't charge more - just provide less, but better| 9/09/10 I think that the public will find it quite hard to stomach the idea of pay...|
     
How ironic| 8/09/10 Isn't funny how when in the past it was the public who were having their phones tapp...|
     
Sir Bob's appointment is a step in the right direction| 7/09/10

I am glad to hear that Sir Bob Kerslake has been given the job of permanen...|

     
A dark shadow is cast| 6/09/10 Voters should now be under no illusions as to what to expect from the Labour Party from now on...|
     
We're in this together. Yeah, right| 3/09/10 Much has been made of David Cameron's use of this phrase – a multimillionai...|
     
The spending challenge| 2/09/10 Along with being greatly amused by some of the suggestions which have be...|
     
Freedom for the people?| 1/09/10 Whilst the Labour party leadership candidates are busy squabbling over who can wear the reddest tie, the coalition goern...|
     

Beware of Labour leadership candidates bearing 'gifts'|

31/08/10 Last week David Miliband was caught out whilst trying to bolster support for his leadership campaign with the party faithful. As...|
     
Why are we here?| 27/08/10 Whilst this is a question which many of us have asked ourselves in our more contemplative moments...|
   
Not another quango, surely| 26/06/10 The government's announcement that councils are to be put in charge of service improvements has stirred mixed feelings in me...|
     
If you are a public servant, the public should come first| 25/08/10 I was utterly disgusted to hear talk of public sector strikes over pension payments. If you are a public servant, then you must act exactly...|
     
A slow hand clap is required…| 24/08/10 One might have thought that given the current economic situation that local authorities might have actually been working to bring employment to their areas.|
     
Get a move on| 23/08/10 I had to chuckle when reading David Prentis' response to the Knox D'Arcy report on public sector productivity...|


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