PM outlines public services vision
The prime minister has today promised to "release the grip of state control" and to bring about a transformation in public services.
Outlining his vision to decentralise and modernise public services, David Cameron said there would be a new "presumption" allowing private companies and charities to bid to provide almost all public services.
The govenrment is set to outline the changes in a White Paper within the next fortnight, which would allow non-public providers to run schools, hospitals and council services.
Outside providers would be offered payment-by-results contracts, increasing their income as the quality of services improves, he said.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Cameron said opening up the public services to the private sector was an important part of the Big Society programme.
"I would argue that our plans to devolve power from Whitehall, and to modernise public services, are more significant aspects of our Big Society agenda than the work we're doing to boost social action," said the prime minister.
"We will soon publish a White Paper setting out our approach to public service reform. It will put in place principles that will signal the decisive end of the old-fashioned, top-down, take-what-you're-given model of public services.
"And it is a vital part of our mission to dismantle Big government and build the Big Society in its place."
Elsewhere today, foreign secretaryWilliam Hague attends a meeting of the EU foreign ministers in Belgium.
Justice minister Lord McNally has said "the odd tension" between Parliament and the judiciary"does no harm at all".
Speaking to Radio 4's Today programme, he was debating the government's approach to political and human rights, as the coalition considers how it might draw up a Bill of Rights.
In an interview with ePolitix.com, Baroness Jay predicts the government is facing another Lords fight over its plans for fixed-term parliaments.
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