By Gerry StokerThis book presents a detailed analysis of the new management of public services at the local level, drawing on the work of the ESRC Local Governance Programme. The radical transformation of public service delivery is assessed in terms of its overall impact as well as its operation in particular service areas. Efficiency has improved and services have gained a user focus yet the new management appears to be full of contradictions and distortions, in many respects creating as many problems as it solves.

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The New Deal for Young People, aged 18-24, has moved 250,000 off welfare and into work. This is the target figure for one of the Government’s five key manifesto pledges. Youth unemployment is now at its lowest level since the mid seventies.Young people joining New Deal first enter a Gateway period lasting up to 4 months, during which time the Employment Service work with them to improve their employability and search for unsubsidised jobs. Those who do not find a job then move to subsidised or voluntary work or full time training or education.

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The Post Office, described in a Cabinet Office report as a ‘sleeping giant’ has responded to the wake up call with a plan to trial ‘one stop’ government shops. The postmaster will become a Government General Practitioner with a role, similar to a medical GP, by providing a gateway to central and local government services. They will offer low level advice and information on benefits, welfare, council housing, employment and education. They will also assist customers to carry out a range of transactions such as paying council tax. Customers will be able, either with or without the postmaster’s help, to access the Internet and e-commerce services through kiosks in the Post OfficeThe trial to be launched next summer will involve all 287 post office outlets in Leicestershire and Rutland. If the trial demonstrates that the problems of developing the GP concept can be overcome and the public respond, the service will be progressively extended to all the 18,500 retail outlets. The Government has committed 15 million pounds for the pilot project to fund the technology and provide training for the postmaster and other staff who will be involved.

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