By Neil RecordWhilst private sector pension schemes have been closing down rapidly in the last few years, public sector employees continue to enjoy “gold plated” benefits. Proposed reforms to public sector schemes will make little difference to the benefits available to new employees and no difference at all to benefits of existing employees.

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COUNCILS UNIQUELY PLACED TO DRIVE UP EDUCATION STANDARDS SAYS THINK TANK

A new report says local government is uniquely placed to drive better education and lead the strategy for schools. The report from the think tank, New Local Government Network details the extent of the task council are facing in steering education provision following the 2006 Education and Inspections Bill and how they should use their unique position to drive up standards.

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WHITE PAPER’S APPROACH SPARKS NEW IDEAS

With the long-awaited White Paper on local government due to be published today one leading London authority is calling for the Government to go further in giving more freedom to excellent authorities and a consumer group says that if public services are to improve, policy makers and service managers need to find opportunities to bring users and staff together.

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