Monthly Archives: June 2011

Christie Commission: catalyst for change?

30 June 2011 | Paul Brewer

Campbell Christie has provided a road map for reform in the public sector in Scotland. The details are lacking, but let’s hope his analysis is the start of a long-term transformation Read more

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Pension deficit denial

30 June 2011 | Patrick Nolan

The issues raised by today’s public sector pension disputes require much more radical action than the government is proposing Read more

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Big Society battles

29 June 2011 | Tom Symons

Apathy and cynicism surround the Big Society concept. But, despite the attacks, there are people keen to volunteer in the community. Local government needs to come to the rescue Read more

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Fight or flight?

29 June 2011 | Judy Hirst

Easy councils. Remember them? They were meant to be the no-frills, low-budget authorities that supplied only the most residual services – and outsourced everything that wasn’t nailed down. Read more

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Waiting for Dilnot

29 June 2011 | Richard Humphries

The Dilnot report on July 4 is likely to recommend a partnership between the individual and the state to meet the costs of long-term care. Now the coalition needs to turn words into action Read more

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No pensions panacea

29 June 2011 | Mike Taylor

There isn’t a universal cure to help reform all public sector pensions – the local government scheme needs to be treated differently because of its funded nature Read more

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Rethinking reablement

28 June 2011 | Sarah Pickup

From 2012/13 acute trusts will be responsible for arranging and funding reablement for people who are ready for discharge from hospital. So where does this leave the role of councils? Read more

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A law unto themselves

28 June 2011 | Iain Macwhirter

Rulings by the new UK Supreme Court have not only infuriated First Minister Alex Salmond but have turned the law into a political battleground Read more...

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Surveying the situation

28 June 2011 | Mike Thatcher

Help us to improve Public Finance and publicfinance.co.uk by filling in a short questionnaire and letting us know your views. You could win £100 in M&S vouchers Read more

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Farewell green and pleasant land

27 June 2011 | Peter Hetherington

Forget ‘community plans’, it is big business that is set to gain from the weakening of local government’s planning role Read more

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