The Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) is describing ’special needs’ in education as a new growth industry - and at a conference tomorrow (Tuesday, March 13) will suggest it exists to prop up poor teaching.The right-of-centre think tank is hosting a half-day, cross-party conference on special needs at the Institution of Civil Engineers building in Great George Street, London. 

Local councils have been warned by their own organisation to modernise more quickly ahead of the responsibilities faced in the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.The call from the Local Government Association (LGA), has come after compiling a report to build a picture of where councils are in their responses to the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry.
Many of the recommendations for action in the Lawrence report are expected to become a legal duty in the new Act. 

Van Gramberg B, Teicher JThe International Journal of Public Sector Management, (UK), 2000 Vol 13 No 5
Start page: 476. No of pages: 17
Investigates the extent to which privatization of public sector services has meant empowerment for public sector managers and a ‘hands off’ approach by central government.