News that the Cabinet Office’s ‘nudge unit’ is being turned into a mutual is likely to herald many more sell-offs of Whitehall services. Ministers need to be aware of the implications Read more
Public sector mutuals are on the increase as more employees take control of the services they provide. Staff, taxpayers and service users all benefit Read more
In these cash-strapped times, mutuals are an idea whose time has come. They bring benefits to public service employees and service users, as well as providing better value for money Read more
Dispersing the Audit Commission’s work to private firms marks the end of District Audit as we know it. But watch this space for further reforms Read more
The Deputy Prime Minister’s plans to encourage more John Lewis style companies will only get us so far. He needs to be more radical and consider greater worker participation within firms Read more
Cost reduction is a priority for local government, but it must not lose sight of future goals and challenges. If town halls take care of the long term, then the short term should take care of itself Read more
Ministers are keen to promote mutuals as the way forward for the public sector, but there is little evidence to suggest that these will help to improve the quality and efficiency of services Read more...
The government’s plan to establish public sector mutuals – run by staff – will face a number of difficulties, not least European Union competition rules Read more...
The ‘Big Idea’ in the Open Public Services White Paper is the creation of worker mutuals. But the hurdles to these are formidable and the possible dynamics hazardous Read more
The public sector needs some timely advice on how to set up a mutual. Guidance is required for both the corporate centre and business managers Read more
Insightful and topical opinion on public policy and finance issues from high-profile experts and our experienced journalists.
Latest vacancies