Willetts: supply side reforms

The Conservatives have pledged to extend supply in the public services and announced plans to crack down on dangerous drivers.

As MPs head off for the Easter recess, Michael Howard's party has sought to capitalise on Labour's recent difficulties by making a series of policy announcements.

Shadow work and pensions secretary David Willetts said a future Tory administration will "break open the fixed lump of public services… enabling alternative providers to enter the game and relieve pressure on the public services".

Willetts was among those addressing a Social Market Foundation conference on vouchers, smart cards and public service efficiency.

He said that the Tories "will scrap the surplus places rule and allow for an expansion of school places".

"There is no point in having ingenious schemes to empower the users of services if there is no way in which the services that they want to consume can then be provided. Capacity matters," he said.

"This is I believe the single most important reason why so much of the money the government has put into public services has disappeared in more waste and higher costs.

"If you throw large amounts of public money at a service whilst it remains very difficult to increase supply, then inevitably the money will be frittered away in higher costs and fringe jobs with little practical value."

Drivers

Meanwhile the Conservatives have also set out a six-point plan to crack down on those who drive without insurance.

Ahead of today's policy announcement shadow transport secretary Damian Green said: "Conservatives want to make Britain’s roads safer and that means getting tough with those who pose a serious risk to other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

"Our plan deals with both detection and deterrence. We want to see stiffer penalties, including the confiscation of vehicles of repeat offenders.

"We will also cross check the computer records of insurers and the DVLA, to establish the full extent of the problem."