Local Authorities Departments set to trade in services
16 September 2004
From September 2004 all but a handful of Social Services Departments in England can bid to take over the running of other councils' social care services. Under plans announced by Gordon Brown in July's spending review, local authorities rated fair, good or excellent will be given new powers "to trade in their efficient services".
These new powers have the potential to create an internal market among social services departments. This could result in the best performing councils profiting while helping to bring the weaker ones up to scratch.
For further information contact Local Government Association
Source: Community Care: 26 August 2004
