More competition among council services suggested by Prime Minister’s Number 10 Strategy Unit

Contestability could be introduced across a swathe of council services still provided in-house, such as fostering and adoption, according to a Downing Street report.

The public services policy review by the Prime Minister’s Number 10 Strategy Unit also suggests contestability could be extended to commissioning bodies as well as those providing services.

Although not appropriate in all cases it suggests this approach could be extended to the commissioning of local healthcare and the National Offender Management Service.

The document says further steps must be taken to allow citizens to shape public services around them, the supply side should be opened up further and workforce innovation must be encouraged.