Professional issues

Financial futures

18 July 2011 | Alan Finch

Why do senior finance managers frequently struggle to make the step up to director level? Perhaps we should be doing more to develop financial leadership skills Read more

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Pension liabilities: the full story?

13 July 2011 | Nigel Keogh

Publication today of the Whole of Government Accounts provides useful information on many areas including public sector pensions. But more explanation of the context would be welcome Read more

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Taking industrial action

11 July 2011 | Lord Ouseley and Dan Ebanks

The coalition should encourage innovation and flexibility in local services by introducing a new form of industrial policy
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Intensive care needed for NHS finances

4 July 2011 | Malcolm Prowle

The scale of cuts required of the NHS is unprecedented and possibly unachievable. Normal efficiencies just won’t do and finance professionals need to bring doctors on board

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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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Private pay rises by 3%, public by 0%

2 June 2011 | Alastair Hatchett

The latest analysis of pay settlements from IDSPay.co.uk shows that a clear gap has emerged between the levels of pay awards in the public and private sectors. The median pay award for the private sector in the three months to April is 3%, while in the public sector it is zero. Read more

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When the going gets tough, by Saralyn Chaloner

13 April 2011 | Saralyn Chaloner

With public sector redundancies announced on a daily basis at present, it comes as no surprise that the latest Ipsos MORI research shows almost three in ten public sector workers (28%) are concerned about unemployment. Read more...

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Buyer beware, by John Tizard

5 April 2011 | John Tizard

A recent survey of local authorities and their response to the spending pressures suggests that there is a surge towards considering more outsourcing.  This was perhaps, inevitable, given the severity of the cuts demanded by the government and as outsourcing companies continue to claim their inherent ability to reduce costs and price to the public sector client by at least 20%. Read more...

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A call to alms, by Alan Duncan

24 February 2011 | Alan Duncan

International aid is a priority for the new government, but spending must be effectively scrutinised. Improving public financial management  is a vital part of this process Read more...

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Who really gets the cream? By Peter Wilby

24 February 2011 | Peter Wilby

The opprobrium that is now being heaped on public sector ‘fat cats’ is pernicious, small-minded and innumerate Read more...

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