Although the Care Bill was included in yesterday Queen’s Speech, it’s not time for the sector to celebrate. The real issue of how to pay for mounting demand from an ageing population remains unresolved Read more...
The coalition, rather than councils, is getting the blame for local government cuts. What does this tell us about the mood music amongst voters? Read more
Confusion surrounds the timing and status of the next Spending Review. A coalition struggle seems to be taking place with neither party wanting to go into the May 2015 general election committed to the same spending plans Read more
Coalition ministers can’t have it both ways. They can’t vote for ending Whitehall micromanagement of the NHS, but expect the Secretary of State to step in and save individual services Read more
The coalition has promised, amongst other things, to ‘wipe the slate clean’ of debt by 2017. It appears to be in a state of denial Read more
Nick Clegg ‘renewed his vows’ today with David Cameron, but there is little evidence that the Liberal Democrats have gained much from the coalition. The deputy PM should focus on growth, jobs and infrastructure investment Read more
If the Chancellor wants to help low- to middle-income households, he would be wise not to sacrifice tax credits, by far the most progressive way to help poor families Read more
By jumping on the coalition’s anti-scroungers welfare bandwagon, Labour’s Liam Byrne has squandered a chance to make progressive changes to the welfare system Read more
Social investment could help charities and voluntary organisations through the tough times ahead. But only if they know what they’re taking on
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Despite the prevailing doom and gloom in local government, there are still plenty of grounds for optimism if councils rise to the challenge Read more
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