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War on Waste: July - September 2024

Wasteful Spending

War on Waste: July - September 2024

Labour came to power last July with a promise to launch a war on waste. It’s no wonder in the final few months of the Conservative government, we found countless examples of frivolous spending, of which this blog lays out just a few. Unfortunately, things have not gotten any

Productivity puzzle - a question of timing

Productivity puzzle - a question of timing

The UK productivity puzzle is the long-term slowdown in productivity growth. But how long term, and when did it start? It is often discussed as a problem “since the GFC” or sometimes “since 2010” where the blame falls squarely on “austerity” under the Coalition and then the Conservatives since 2015.

How much of our money does the government waste overall?

Better Government

How much of our money does the government waste overall?

British taxpayers are struggling under a record tax burden. It’s been driven by a huge increase in public spending, which over the last quarter century has ballooned under both Labour and Conservative governments. The one constant trend over this period: much of it will have been wasted. Since the

What role for the FCA?

What role for the FCA?

The role and conduct of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and other financial regulators is, quite rightly, under intense scrutiny, with its work being looked at today by the Financial Services Regulation committee. Too often these quangos, and in particular regulators, are treated as untouchable institutions, standing high and mighty

The UK government should stand up to global quangos, not bow down to them

Better Government

The UK government should stand up to global quangos, not bow down to them

Last week, the International Criminal Court (ICC) made the extraordinary decision to issue arrest warrants for Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and former defence minister Yoav Gallant. The absurd and reprehensible decision completely undermines the Court’s credibility by accusing the men of ‘the war crime of starvation as

How do you solve the local government sickness crisis?

Public Services

How do you solve the local government sickness crisis?

Havering Council (East London) has just published its latest figures around staff sickness, and the report shows a mental health crisis that is costing millions. The report shows that over 50 per cent of Havering staff have taken sick leave in the last year, with 27 per cent of the