Cloke P, Milbourne P, Widdowfield RPublic Administration, (UK), 2000 Vol 78 No 1
Start page: 111. No of pages: 23
Examines the response to the issue of homelessness in Taunton, a rural area of the UK, to understand the new collaborations between local government, other service providers and local groups. Discusses the nature of homelessness in rural areas, pointing to the ways in which the problem and the solution differs from the usual picture of urban homelessness. 

Senior civil servants are applying rigorous analysis to decide the competencies they need to do their job. The latest draft has identified the following headings as crucially important: giving purpose and direction; making a personal impact; working collaboratively; taking a wide perspective and focusing on outcomes.Under each of the six headings the document sets out effective and ineffective behaviour with an example which illustrates what is considered as effective and ineffective. 

The Public Accounts Committee says that social security fraud costing the taxpayer up to 4 billion pounds a year is unacceptably high. This is equivalent to 2 p on Income Tax. The Committee believes that simplifying the system and the introduction of technology are the two key measures that should reduce the amount of fraud.A major area of fraud is Housing Benefit where responsibility is divided between the Benefits Agency and local authorities.