Yes, European countries have to cut public spending in order to put their finances back in shape. But this should not compromise essential public services such as education, health care or tax collection, writes Klaus Heeger of the European Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (CESI). More »

Older people needing social care are let down by fragmented services - and the Health and Social Care Bill will not simplify the system - says a group of MPs.

The NHS spends £64,000 a day on translation services, a report has found.

It has been one of the most pervasive dictums of the last 18 months - that massive cuts to public services will make this government unpopular and halt them in their tracks. It has been echoed not only by lefties but also Tories, who are over-joyed that despite the cuts they are riding high in the polls. I bought into this theory initially, but I don't any more. My point is to say that raisin...

The community charge - better known as poll tax - was meant to be a simple and fair way for everyone who used them to pay for local services.

With increasing numbers of people’s minds turning towards May’s elections, now is a good time to dust off and update a post from 2008 about how people view their council… Improving trust in local government is important, and can’t be done just by focusing on improving services: that’s the verdict of State of trust: How

Sir David stresses need to concentrate NHS services in fewer centres rather than hospitals cutting corners trying to deliver a full service on smaller budget

Diane Abbott has, the BBC reports, walked away from the all-party talks on abortion because of the government’s proposals on counselling services. But others involved in the talks claim that Labour’s public health spokeswoman was not a particularly active participant. Abbott, who is not always the easiest of people to work with, had already irritated some of those involved in thes...

This official history of NUPE from 1928 to 1993 (when it merged with COHSE and NALGO to form UNISON) deserves to be a standard reference book for those interested in the evolution of modern unions, particularly in the public services. It is comprehensively researched, although mainly from the written records, rather than tapping into the

The NHS is facing an enormous funding crisis. To avert it, we must be more innovative in integrating our health and social services, says Chris Skidmore.