Unless the inefficiencies of the NHS are addressed, this great foundation of the welfare state will crumble under the weight of its own responsibility argues the author.

The recent controversy over changes to refuse collection is a salient example of the brittle relationship between local government and the citizens says the author as he explores the relationship in detail.

A contracting economy and rising unemployment do not make for happy reading. But the implications of these national trends are very different for different cities.

Being asked to summate the arguments against HS2 is a bit like being asked to provide a synopsis on The Bible on the back of a postage stamp, according to the author who leads StopHS2.