The government’s Open Public Services white paper has set out a path for the rebuilding of public services in England, based on a people-focused, localised approach. The policy framework is based on five principles:

• Choice of providers for service users
• Decentralisation of power
• Diversification of providers
• Fair access to public services
• Accountability to users and taxpayers

The paper divides public services into three areas:

Individual Services – it talks about extending personal budgets and freedom of choice in areas such as social care and education

Neighbourhood services- under the Localism Bill there will be new rights for those services provided on a collective basis to be delivered locally (e.g. bin collection, community safety)

Commissioned Services - defined as those that can are not appropriate or possible to pass on to individuals or community groups (family support services, trading standards are named)

It does also mention that there are some areas that should not be contracted out, such as the military, core policing, intelligence.

Guides and commentaries: Guardian, Local Government Chronicle, Urban Forum, New Start