JGP News

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has today announced the appointment of Liz Atkins as the new director of public policy.

Ms Atkins, who is former director of strategy and communications at the National Housing Federation, will lead the organisation’s 45-strong team from January 15th 2007. (more…)

A £7.4 million government scheme designed to improve public sector efficiency has come under fire.

The working practice programme known as Lean, being piloted at an HM Revenue and Customs office in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, is said to improve worker efficiency by assigning the optimum positions for keyboards, mice, telephones and stationery. (more…)

The Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (acevo) will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year and has been congratulated by Tony Blair on the achievement.

The prime minister dedicated a New Year’s message to the association in a special commemorative booklet published to mark the milestone, honouring the “remarkable” contribution of third sector leaders. (more…)

A major new policy review launched by the government this month will welcome members of the public to pass their judgement on key public services in a new “deliberative forum”.

Cabinet office ministers Ed Miliband and Pat McFadden will support the 100 ordinary citizens as they mull over the same official papers seen by members of parliament on a daily basis, before making their decisions on the best course of action. (more…)

Councils nationwide are on track to deliver annual efficiency gains to the tune of £1.3 billion, according to official figures.

Published by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), the figures for the mid-financial year indicate that local authorities are achieving their cost-cutting goals - delivering improved services with greater efficiency. (more…)