Finance & Investment | Government & Public Sector Journal

» GENEROUS BRITONS KEEP ON GIVING DESPITE ECONOMIC SQUEEZE

28/07/2010

Average charity donations are recovering as fundraisers and donors remain committed to backing good causes despite the current economic squeeze, new research from Virgin Money Giving shows. » Read More

» Budget 2010: Major public sector cutbacks are underway, however savings can still be delivered without hitting frontline services

25/06/2010

The emergency budget has given us the first real indication of how and where the coalition's major spending cuts are going to occur. Chancellor George Osborne has spelt out the agenda in recent weeks, explaining that, "decisive action to deal with Britain's record budget deficit" , estimated to be running at £149 billion annually with a structural deficit of £113.5 billion- is the top priority or else the country is on the "road to ruin". » Read More

» Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell comments on the budget

23/06/2010

Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell, who is also the Association of Chief Police Officers' Finance and Resource portfolio lead, said: » Read More

» Budget Comment: Professor Peter Latchford

23/06/2010

-In the short term I recognise that steps must be taken to address the consequences of the recession. These understandably have been framed around a trade off between cuts in public spending and tax increases. » Read More

» Government's attitude to public sector pay and pensions is worrying

21/06/2010

The Government's attitude to public sector pay and pensions is a worrying issue. David Cameron seems to be pushing councils awkwardly down a path they are already addressing. A reduction of payment in pensions will have a crippling effect on the economy and further increases in employee contributions will not serve as an effective solution. » Read More

» Deficit reduction measures will raise UK unemployment close to 3 million by 2012

10/06/2010

Dr John Philpott, Chief Economic Adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) predicts that the coalition government's deficit reduction measures will stall any recovery in the UK jobs market later this year, result in a post-recession peak in unemployment close to 3 million, and slow any subsequent return to low unemployment. » Read More

» The Department of the Future

20/04/2010

'Doing more for less' has long been debated in the public sector, but now, the need to cut public spending, has become urgent. The Public Sector is not just facing a painful adjustment to immediate financial issues; it is also challenged by factors that will be impacting us for decades to come â€“ such as our ageing population, our inadequate physical infrastructure, and the need to reskill the nation's workforce. » Read More

» Can Political Leaders Deliver On Public Sector Cuts?

15/04/2010

Hot on the heels of Audit Scotland's timely publication on the need to improve public sector efficiency comes the call for written evidence from the Scottish Parliament Finance Committee on what preparations are required by the public sector to deliver efficient public services during a time of tightening public expenditure. The evidence period extends to the end of March but the key themes are not hard to discern. » Read More

» REACTION TO THE BUDGET - PROFESSOR MALCOLM PROWLE

26/03/2010

Chancellor Alistair Darling today presented what is probably his last budget speech. It must be noted that this was not a "real" budget since the Conservatives have promised to quickly produce their own budget if they win the election and should Labour win they will almost certainly wish to "supplement" what is continued in this one. Instead the budget should be seen as part of setting out Labour's stall for the next election. » Read More

» WGA 'The Wholly' Grail of Public Sector Accounting?

22/12/2009

For many not directly involved in public sector financial reporting the move to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for all public sector entities must feel like finance colleagues creating another self-generating, cottage industry. Shadow accounts, restated balance sheets and further audit reviews leading to the holy grail of WGA (Whole of Government Accounts) seem curious distractions at a time when the public sector is facing huge funding challenges. » Read More

» Public Sector Leadership Teams: Keeping An Eye On The Financial Football

22/12/2009

Whilst England's campaign for world cup qualification in South Africa has been impressive, doubts still remain over some of the key positions. Left side midfield remains a long term problem and the goalkeeper's spot also now has question marks over it. These remain specialist positions where the limited number of convincing contenders reflects a dearth of talent coming through. » Read More

» Efficiency through Flexibility

10/12/2009

The news that council chiefs are set to quit amid budget and pension plan changes (Financial Times, Council Chiefs Set to Quit as Cuts Bite, 11 November issue) brings into the spotlight once more the issue of attracting the best and most qualified staff to senior roles when remuneration alone will not cut it. » Read More

» The Future for Public Sector Funding -Surviving the Storm

09/12/2009

The UK public sector is facing its most serious funding challenge for many years.
Given the state of the public finances, major spending cuts are inevitable or costs will spiral out of control. While this is starting to be recognised at all levels, there is no clear roadmap of how to get there. » Read More

» Wakefield Council Trade Deal

25/11/2009

Wakefield Council has signed a pioneering agreement to boost mutual trade opportunities and open new doors for a wide range of local businesses. On Monday 2nd November Wakefield Council Leader Peter Box formalised the district's economic relationship with Romania by signing a memorandum of agreement with Antonie Solomon, the Mayor of Craiova.
» Read More

» Governments plans for public sector reform

25/11/2009

At the heart of the Government's plans for public sector reform is the
need to reduce costs, and improve the accountability and quality of the
services it delivers. In April, Chancellor Alastair Darling announced
plans to make £9 billion in efficiency cuts each year by 2013, in
addition to the £5 billion announced in the pre-Budget report in
November 2008. » Read More

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