Guardian - 22 January 2018, 08:00 (+ 2307 days 3 hours and 51 minutes) In Depth/Analysis
Across Britain, councils have been forced into costly and ineffective PFI contracts. Now many are breaking freeThe era of “private good, public bad” is drawing to a close. Unshakeable faith in Margaret Thatcher’s privatisation creed is being killed off not just by counter-ideology, but by the sheer irrationality, expense and failure of so many private contracts. Carillion’s spectacular collapse makes big headlines, but out of the spotlight local councils, under extreme stress from cuts, are cancelling contracted-out services. Why? Because it saves them money and improves services. I have been talking to councils around the country where in-sourcing is how they best cope with savage budget reductions. Related: Capitalism’s new crisis: after Carillion, can the private sector ever be trusted? Continue reading...