Councils yesterday stepped up opposition to the Governments promise of free care at home for the elderly. The surprise pledge made by Gordon Brown last year was criticised for cutting across efforts to find a way of funding elderly care, which have sparked fury by raising the prospect of a so-called death tax.
The Tories have renewed a pledge to give public sector workers the chance to form co-operatives to run services. Staff of taxpayer-funded services, such as primary school teachers and nurses, would decide how they were run – within certain national standards.
Last week at a Localis debate about the future of local government regulation, shadow local government secretary Caroline Spelman played down concerns about localism in health leading to postcode lottery accusations.
More than 70 leaders of social care throughout England are warning that the Governments plans to provide free home care are flawed, unfunded and will force cuts to current services.
The national consultation that led to the government’s controversial post office closure programme was deeply flawed and so ineffective that it was regarded by many consumers as “a sham”, a hard-hitting report will claim today.
The Government believes that the spread of the internet and other social changes may mean that councils should be free to close libraries. Libraries account for more expenditure than other cultural or sporting projects funded by local councils.
Scrapping the inspection and the target culture in local government would improve performance and would save money in the process says the Director of Policy at Localis as he explores their latest report ‘For Good Measure’
Councils should be given stronger powers to hold local service providers to account, the House of Commons has been told. An MP said greater scrutiny would help drive up standards for local people.
Localis are taking part in an online ‘hotseat’ on the IDeA website. To offer feedback on the report and to engage in the discussion please go to the following link – http://www.communities.idea.gov.uk/c/1127925/forum/thread.do?id=3300479
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