The real test of this week’s Budget will be whether George Osborne strengthens the management of the public finances. He must avoid ringfencing, while committing to surpluses that are measured comprehensively and linked to new fiscal rules Read more
There is no logical reason for having profit-making schools in the current education system in England. But perhaps school revenue could be linked to pupil attainment and any surpluses retained for investment Read more
The Welsh government appears complacent as school performance continues to deteriorate. Ministers need to think radically and should start by introducing some competition into the education system Read more
Ministers are putting their faith in a new, improved version of the Private Finance Initiative. But financing costs are likely to increase in the short term and alternative options are still few and far between Read more
The Welsh Government will be able to vary income tax rates from the end of the decade if today’s Silk Commission proposals are implemented. But there are risks and hurdles involved, not least winning the public’s support in a referendum Read more
Vested interests are likely to prevent Wales from following England’s lead in abolishing GCSEs. But, as a result, Welsh pupils could find it harder to gain employment or university places Read more
The abolition of GCSEs is long overdue and will help the UK to produce future leaders. But we need to go further and reintroduce an education system based on selection by ability Read more
Today’s furore over the sale of school playing fields shows that the process needs to be more transparent and that the independent panel should have to publish its decisions on a regular basis Read more
Local government accounting is facing its annual review, with changes due to be implemented in 2013/14. To ensure the plans are practical, chief finance officers and other senior staff need to respond to the consultation on the proposed code Read more
There have been suggestions that too many of Britain’s top Olympians have been educated privately, but the arguments from Left and Right miss one simple truth Read more
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