Safeguarding Britain's future through IT skills
The UK risks being left behind if it doesn't have a highly skilled IT workforce, but young people are not inspired to study ICT and technology careers need to be more attractive, writes Karen Price, chief executive of e-skills UK

A cultural phenomenon
The paths of science and culture have been deeply intertwined for centuries, writes UNESCO's former Assistant Director General for Science, Professor Maurizio Iaccarino…

''I believe that our public spending decisions are fair''
Here is the full text of the 'Building the economy of the future' speech by the Chancellor George Osborne at Bloomberg's offices in London in which he said the October spending review will prove how fair the government is

FP8 must recapture the spirit of the '80s
As the European Commission considers its priorities for Framework Programme 8, a bold approach that simplifies funding mechanisms, encourages mobility and develops clear roadmaps for international collaboration is crucial, writes Peter Tindemans of Euroscience…

If Europe didn't exist we would have to invent it
In the make-or-break 21st century, the European Union is proposing a quiet revolution in human development that has the greatest potential to nudge the world forward, writes Steven Hill

How to make a difference to the future of poor nations
Helping businesses in poor countries to improve their environment, social and governance standards can help to speed up their development, writes Richard Laing, chief executive of the CDC Group

Policy protection
European Commission President José Manuel Barroso has committed to making a fundamental change in the way scientific advice is accessed by appointing a chief scientific adviser to reflect the central importance of research and innovation. But will the incumbent have the appropriate power to do a successful job? And how will policy decisions grounded in sound science be ensured? An expert panel consider the issues…

Across the digital divide
UK Digital Champion Martha Lane Fox tells HR & Training Journal editor Laura Evans how Race Online 2012 is transcending the sectors to introduce more people, and more services, to the web...

It really is crunch time
Necessity could be the mother of invention. After all the talk about transforming government, now there really is no alternative, BT's John Stokoe tells Alison Thomas

Positive outcomes from an engaging idea
An organisation's greatest resource is its people, David MacLeod tells Alison Thomas, and if you expect your organisation to succeed then you've got to listen to your people and treat them properly

Rail travel – a bright future beckons
Transport commentator Christian Wolmar – who will chair Public Service Events' Railway Improvement conference in London on 25 May – looks at the background to plans for major public and private investment in rail projects

We must take care to include everyone
Plans for a National Care Service recognise the need for greater integration of health and social care, but, says Turning Point chief executive Lord Victor Adebowale, they are simply not inclusive enough

A partisan view – but a new breed of socialism
Having been embroiled in the British Airways dispute, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber is now turning his attention to the imminent general election. He talks to Dean Carroll

New housing programme is reaching for the stars
Birmingham's collaborative housing transformation programme is improving the delivery of housing services in the region, write John Lines, cabinet member for housing, and Elaine Elkington, strategic director for housing and constituencies at the City Council

Getting tougher to unlock information
The Information Commissioner Christopher Graham has signalled his intent to get tough. He tells Dean Carroll how this more robust attitude to releasing information is producing results in an era of ''public service by Facebook''