Discussions are underway for a second Crossrail project, connecting the congested southwest of London to the more deprived northeast. But Crossrail 2 cannot simply copy the funding successes of its big brother. Read more
It might not seem like it to people working across the health service, but the NHS is one of the lucky ones when it comes to funding. Read more
Councils are looking for more imaginative ways of raising revenue and reducing costs. But punitive sanctions – such as reducing benefits if overweight people refuse to exercise – will only forfeit public trust Read more
The update on the National Infrastructure Plan published alongside the Autumn Statement contains some welcome initiatives. But like the original Plan, does it promise more than it can deliver?
Rural councils, as well as their urban counterparts, can benefit from next year’s changes to business rates. They need to play a unifying role – bringing local firms, academics, politicians and communities together Read more
The debacle over the West Coast rail franchise shows the importance of financial models when making big decisions. Formulas need to be reviewed on a regular basis, but this rarely happens in the public sector Read more
Infrastructure investment should mean more than just new roads and railways. What if funding could also be channelled into town centre regeneration to help improve a place and stimulate demand? Read more
Recent alarm about the level of debt held by Network Rail has highlighted how the Treasury’s archaic fiscal rules put artificial restrictions on the UK’s infrastructure investment Read more
Unfilled potholes. Crumbling schools and community centres. Is this an overly alarmist vision of the future state of public infrastructure? Read more...
This week’s calls from ministers to reduce unnecessary street signs, railings and advertising hoardings, the latest in a wealth of cost-saving announcements, reveal a potentially short-sighted approach to the management of our public spaces. Read more...
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