Jennifer Williams

Howard Bernstein transformed a city on its knees

No quick fix for underperforming operator, plagued by outdated fax machines and voluntary overtime

Exploratory talks follow criticism of private outsourcing groups and concern about their high profits

Northern under fire from regional mayors for poor performance

But some Whitehall departments including the Home Office face real terms cuts to their budgets

Bennett Institute research underlines scale of strains social care placing on local government financing

The 80km of track could be built faster and cheaper than axed HS2 leg, says research

Report says £644mn needed to clear backlogs and start building

Plus: public transport and the productivity gap

Plan to transform former steelworks in north-east England has been criticised for offering poor value to taxpayers

Operation Early Dawn activated following violent unrest across country in recent weeks

Health, transport and local government groups ballot for further action

Businesses send staff home early amid fears of far-right unrest on Wednesday evening

Nazir Afzal says judges may need to be called out of retirement and defence solicitors paid upfront

Further violence expected as unrest enters second week

Mob storms hotel housing asylum seekers as PM vows ‘extremists’ will feel full force of law

Experts warn that public backing for development is essential in new government’s bid to end housing crisis

Councils will not be able to reject developments on grounds of being ‘out of character’

6 days ago ... It has been 19 years since Labour won a general election in the UK and 14 years since the party was in Downing Street. With Sir Keir Starmer ...

Battling to hold on to the swing seat of Bolton West, Chris Green feels the effects of his party’s stuttering national campaign