Companies eye wider role

Author: Financial Times - Jul 3, 2009

Posted in: Planning, Housing and Economic Development / Balancing the different sectors of the economy / Local Government News

The crisis in the public finances will push back the boundaries of the state, allowing the private sector to bid for contracts in areas as delicate as chemotherapy, kidney dialysis and the supervision of probation and immigration cases, according to several of the government's biggest suppliers.

They claim the desperate need to save money will open the door to public services previously considered off-limits because of their political sensitivity.

Such moves would face opposition from trade unions and would require explicit ministerial support to become reality. But companies heavily involved with the public sector believe the tide of the times is flowing firmly in their direction.

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