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Posts tagged: "Local government"
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Posted on February 13, 2019 by Abdool Kara
2019 will be a pivotal year for local government in England. Numerous difficult and open-ended questions need rapid resolution, at a time when government focus and capacity is directed elsewhere. Drawing on a number of our recent reports, here I explore some of the challenges facing the sector, from budget cuts and growing social care demands, to local service funding reforms and new risks from local government commercialisation. more… Local government in 2019: a pivotal year
Tagged: Brexit, Financial sustainability, Health, Local government, Public finances, Social care, Young people
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Posted on August 6, 2018 by James Beveridge
Over the past month we have seen widespread celebrations for the 70th birthday of the NHS, with the Prime Minister announcing new funding for a service that is both highly respected and at the forefront of voters’ concerns according to Ipsos MORI research. But many people don’t realise that 2018 also marks the 70th anniversary of the birth of the welfare state and social care as we know it, or – as our recent publications show – as we think we know it… more… Adult social care at a glance
Tagged: Financial sustainability, Health, Local government, Public finances, Public sector reform, Social care
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Posted on July 5, 2018 by Abdool Kara
It is the 70th anniversary of the NHS and, like most 70-year-olds who haven’t taken good care of themselves, the NHS is starting to show its age and is creaking at the seams. more… Getting old ain’t easy: NHS 70
Tagged: Health, Local government, Social care
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Posted on June 27, 2018 by Robert White
Since the creation of the NHS, the NAO has been a critical friend. In the run up to its 70th anniversary we have been reflecting on our role in supporting improvements. more… A critical friend of the NHSTagged: Customer service, Financial sustainability, Health, Local government, Public finances
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Posted on March 22, 2018 by Michael Burke
Would you be willing to pay more tax to fund care? What about paying more towards your own or your parents’ care in old-age or if you find yourself in need of disabled care? What quality of care would you expect? Are you an unpaid carer yourself? Compromises may be needed in the funding and delivery of social care in light of the combined pressures of cuts in the budgets of local governments, which spend £14.8 billion funding the care, and the high vacancy and turnover rates in the adult social care sector. Our recent reports highlight the scale of the challenges facing the government as it plans for the future. more… The social care challenge
Tagged: Children, Disability, Elderly, Employee engagement, Financial sustainability, Health, Local government, Public finances, Skills, Social care
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Posted on January 26, 2018 by Matthew Wilkins
On 25th January, the government published its annual rough sleeper count, and confirmed what is already apparent to anybody who spends time on the streets of towns and cities in England: homelessness in its most visible form has increased substantially in recent years. Beyond the headline-grabbing rough sleeping figures, what do the numbers really tell us about what is happening with homelessness in England, and how can government achieve its aim of eliminating rough sleeping by 2027? more… What’s behind the growing number of rough sleepers?
Tagged: Cross-government, Homelessness, Housing, Local government, Young people
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Posted on January 12, 2018 by Aileen Murphie
A third of people living in England outside London live in one of England’s nine combined authorities, six being cities with directly elected mayors. Some commentators have expressed disappointment that the recent Secretary of State’s Annual Report on Devolution 2016-17 confirmed that there were no further devolution agreements in 2016-17. With combined authorities intended to be a key driver of local growth, should people, both in these regions and especially in areas without a combined authority, be clamouring for more action on devolution, or should we wait for clarity about the UK’s exit from the EU? What it will take for combined authorities to succeed in their aims? And do elected mayors have the potential to become significant figures on the national political stage? more… Growth through devolution: A New Year’s outlook
Tagged: Access to services, Accountability, Brexit, Collaboration, Customer service, Devolution, Growth, Housing, Leadership, Local government, Police, Public sector reform
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Posted on December 11, 2017 by Abdool Kara
From working on the frontline of homelessness to contributing to the PAC session on the NAO’s homelessness report, former Chief Executive of Swale Borough Council, Abdool Kara, reflects on his first nine months as an Executive Leader at the NAO. more… Leading with experienceTagged: Amyas Morse, Homelessness, Leadership, Local government, PAC, Young people
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Posted on August 18, 2017 by Jacob Holliday
High profile incidents remind individuals and organisations just how important it is to manage potential conflicts of interest. In March 2017, the Court of the Bank of England commissioned a review of the institution’s approach to managing conflicts of interest. The review was prompted by the resignation of Charlotte Hogg who had been Deputy Governor for Markets and Banking. A report from the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee published in March 2017 had raised concerns about her compliance with the Bank’s rules governing conflicts of interest. As part of its Review the Bank invited the NAO to contribute a briefing paper on managing conflicts of interest. It’s a timely opportunity for the whole public sector to consider whether it’s managing conflicts of interest effectively. more… Managing conflicts of interest and keeping public trust
Tagged: Accountability, Business operations, Conflict of interest, Contract management, Cross-government, Employee engagement, Good practice principles, International, Investigations, Local government, Regulation & consumer protection, Reporting, Risk management
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Posted on July 7, 2017 by Lee Summerfield
MPs have queried the way grants are distributed; multiple programme changes have left many questioning aims and effectiveness; growing backlogs have raised issues about public service delivery; and failed contracts losing millions of pounds have implied serious mismanagement. Concerns raised by MPs, members of the public and our own staff as a result of their work often need the facts set out – clearly and quickly. They call for an NAO ‘Investigation’. more… NAO Investigates
Tagged: Accountability, Business operations, Contract management, International, Investigations, Local government, Performance management, Project management, Public finances
Local government in 2019: a pivotal year>
Adult social care at a glance>
Getting old ain’t easy: NHS 70>
What’s behind the growing number of rough sleepers?>
Growth through devolution: A New Year’s outlook>
Managing conflicts of interest and keeping public trust>
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