Issue seven
Global economy Lord Lipsey on the future of public services
Now, more than ever, we need to make further performance improvements in order to put public services on a sounder footing for the future. By Lord Lipsey and Ian Mulheirn
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Profile Andrew Rawnsley on Barack Obama
How will America's new President change the US and what is his potential influence on the global stage?
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World view Bunking off
From counselling to custody, Polly Curtis looks at how the world is tackling truancy.
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Profile The CBI on Barack Obama
What can we expect from President Obama in terms of public services in the US? Rhian Chilcott looks for clues from his election campaign
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World view Tackling truancy in Germany and Ireland
From counselling to custody, Polly Curtis looks at how the world is tackling truancy
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Climate change Jonathon Porritt on earth's crisis
We cannot afford to put climate change on the back burner while we wrestle with the economy. What happends between now and the end of 2009 could determine the future of humankind, argues Jonathon Porritt
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24 hours Dennis James, Docklands Light Railway
Serco Docklands recently enjoyed success at the annual Light Rail Awards, scooping the coveted operator of the Year award and the Best Customer initiative award. the man at the helm of a driverless train reveals how he helps to keep the Docklands Light Railway safe and stress-free for passengers
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Unemployment Tackling rising numbers
How can we tackle rising unemployment numbers? John Rentoul talks to Iain Duncan Smith MP, Frank Field MP, David Freud and Richard Johnson
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Final word How do you tackle a problem like... hospital waiting times?
The reduction in hospital waiting times is one of the NHS's success stories. When the 18-week target was introduced in 2004, many doubted it could be achieved. But the government made it a priority and pumped an extra £4bn into the service and, in October 2008, the target was achieved, five months early. It is true the targets were revised down last year to 95% of outpatients and 90% of inpatients. It is also true the new limits apply only to acute hospital care. However, most people agree it has been a remarkable achievement. The real question, though, is can the effort and money required to bring those times down be sustained over the long run? Or will waiting times start to creep up again? And what is the impact on other parts of the service? We talk to doctors and managers to discover whether the problem has been solved or simply postponed.
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Public services Brighter future
Real change and efficiency savings can only come from a greater focus on front-line managers, says Chris Hyman
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Third sector Working together
Working together across the private-third sector divide has its problems, but it's proving well worth the effort for all parties, not least the service users. By Stephen Bubb, Chief Executive, Acevo
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Employment The skill pill
The ailing economy is an opportunity for the UK to improve skills to catch up with its international competitors, and failure to do so will compound the problems ahead, says Chris Humphries
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