The London Borough of Barnet has completed the biggest outsourcing deal in the history of local government with two pioneering, multi-million pound contracts. The One Barnet deal will see the Council achieve significant cost savings and efficiencies and deliver an improved, seamlessly joined-up service to residents.
Read more on BARNET OUTSOURCING DEAL CREATES NEW BUSINESS MODEL…
Universal credit, which goes nation wide in October, will have to provide large scale support services for claimants to help them move from weekly to monthly budgeting. The scale of the support arrangements has now become clear from guidance published by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Read more on UNIVERSAL CREDIT CLAIMANTS NEED WIDESCALE SUPPORT…
First it was the technology which attracted an amber-red warning, this was followed by the discovery that customers struggled to use the system, now an internal survey reveals that staff are demoralised.
Read more on UNIVERAL CREDIT: STAFF MORALE RAISES ANOTHER THREAT TO SUCCESS…
There is a need for a radical devolution of power and resources to councils to help businesses adapt to a changed consumer environment. This is the main conclusion of a report produced by London Councils, which represents the capital’s 33 local authorities.
Read more on CALL FOR COUNCILS TO GET MORE POWER TO SUPPORT HIGH STREETS…
Many benefit claimants will struggle to meet the requirement of the new welfare arrangements which are due to be introduced from October 2013 with the launch of universal credit. Pilot schemes started last year by councils have revealed the scale of the difficulty many claimants will experience.
Read more on UNIVERSAL CREDIT PILOTS REVEAL CHALLENGES FACING BENEFIT CLAIMANTS…
Integration of health, housing and social care services is crucial to the creation of sustainable care models for the future. This is the conclusion of a new report from the Good Governance Institute.
Read more on CALL TO INTEGRATE HEALTH HOUSING AND SOCIAL CARE…
Public servants who form ‘John Lewis style’ mutuals to take control of their services need better access to external finance if they are to transform public services, a report published today argues.
Read more on MUTUALS NEED EXTERNAL FINANCE FROM SOCIAL AND COMMERCIAL LENDERS…
The civil service values taxing and regulating more highly than saving taxpayers money. In a move to change this culture, an incentive scheme has been launched to reward staff with ideas for saving money.
Read more on CIVIL SERVICE CULTURE CHANGE TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY…
Last year’s Government review conclusion that the Universal Credit project should be rated as amber/red because its successful delivery was in doubt and urgent action was needed, has been proved to correct. Current trialling of the system with simple claims has revealed failings and there is to be a new design for dealing with the more complex claims.
Universal Credit will simplify the benefits system, improve work incentives and reduce fraud and error. It will replace income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance; income-related Employment and Support Allowance; Income Support; Child Tax Credits; Working Tax Credits and Housing Benefit.
Police minister Damien Green calls for culture change to take forward the next stage of police reform.
The police reform programme has so far relied on structural reforms such as ending the culture of Whitehall interference and target-setting and the election of police and crime commissioners. For the next stage the government’s role will be to set the strategic agenda and to ensure that support is given to the police in cutting crime. It is for chief constables and police and crime commissioners to determine how best to achieve this goal.
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