Latest News

What a week for public service

(29.06.10)

Since the emergency budget was unveiled by George Osborne, there has been a considerable amount to take in and think about in the context of our personal lives and work. In this briefing we give our analysis of the implications for public services, and highlight the key issues that will shape the agenda of decision makers over the coming months.

Unsuccessful projects waste money

(24.06.10)

Unsuccessful projects waste money. For the public sector, today's challenges are about improving efficiency and saving money. Ergo, we need successful projects. And, by and large, successful projects mean having effective PPM (programme and project management).

So - do organisations (particularly in the public sector) have the skills to deliver the changes sought? Too many seem to approach PPM by designing a method, training a few staff, then stepping back and watching projects underperform.

EiB Budget Summary

(22.06.10)

From January 4 2011, the main rate of VAT will rise from 17.5% to 20%. Current zero-rated items like children's clothes and magazines will remain exempt.

Personal income tax allowance to be increased by £1,000 in April to £7,475 - worth £170 a year to basic rate taxpayers.

Councils which propose low council tax increases will be offered extra funds to allow them to freeze the tax for one year from April 2011.

Capital Gains Tax remains at 18% for low and middle-income savers but from midnight, higher rate taxpayers will pay 28%.

The Isle of Wight highways maintenance project has survived the Government's Spending Commitments Review - joining the 193 out of 217 projects from the start of this year that have been given the green light to progress

(22.06.10)

As the largest highways maintenance project in the pipeline, there had been fears that it would fall prey to the newly-elected government's review.

This news will come as a relief to the three bidders that are in dialogue with the Isle of Wight Council for its £1.2 billion highways maintenance PFI.

In spite of the hovering axe, the council launched the dialogue process which will last until September after which teams will put forward formal ISOS submissions.

Cutting public sector costs and engaging the community..... can you have both?

(22.06.10)

Greg Clark, Minister for Decentralisation, in Sunday's Politics Show said:

"When you give people the opportunity to get on and do the things that they have a passion about and let them make use of their knowledge of the community they can work wonders.

Decentralisation is about giving power back to local people so that they can come together to shape their communities in the way that they want. I want it to be easier for people who have a great idea to be able to get on and do it.