The public must be assured its money is being well spent

As the public faces higher taxes, fundamental revisions are needed to public audit, argue John Tizard and David Walker.  At a time of corrosive mistrust in parliament and public affairs, the National Audit Office stands solid. Under Amyas Morse it enjoys near mythical status as an honest and rigorous analyst of how public money is spent.… Read More...

Brexit – the sector can’t pass on the other side

This could be a momentous week in parliament at a critical time for the future of our country. The 2016 referendum was nearly three years ago, but the debate, false claims, misinformation and anxiety continue ferociously. Even now there is no certainty that the UK will actually leave the EU, and if it does leave… Read More...

Carillion – a year on, and much still remains to be done

A year ago, the construction and outsourcing company Carillion collapsed, leaving unbuilt buildings and hospitals, public services (including school meals) undelivered, substantial job losses from the company and across its supply chain, and many small businesses bankrupt.  Plus the tax payer has had to find £150m to pay the costs of the company’s failure and… Read More...

Let 2019 be the year when the sector is bold and radical

The voluntary and community sector cannot duck out of the political debate. It should expose and challenge policies 2019 is going to be an eventful year and one when we will require the voluntary and community sector to draw on all reserves (and I don’t primarily mean our financial reserves – if we have any)… Read More...

Festive public procurement crackers

Even public sector procurement officials will be taking some time off over the next couple of weeks to sit around their Christmas trees, perhaps with a glass in their hands. Like all public sector officials, they deserve a rest and time to recharge. I hope that there will be lots of rest, good food and… Read More...

Prompt payments matter

Successive governments have implored the public sector to ensure that they pay suppliers – especially smaller companies, charities and social enterprises – promptly. However, almost daily there are reports of such suppliers not being paid in accordance with government guidance or contract conditions. Delays can be many weeks and sometimes months. These delays have serious… Read More...

Brexit Matters – and it should matter to the sector

With the biggest challenge for the country since the Second World War swirling around us, why is the sector so silent? Brexit is the most important and fundamental political challenge for this cou ntry since 1945, so where are the voices of charities and the voluntary and community sector? To be silent is a mistake,… Read More...