The NAVCA briefing contains a summary and commentary on each section of the white paper, and a brief analysis at the end. It also has details of the listening exercise the government is undertaking on these proposals. To download the briefing go to the NAVCA website.

Due to be published earlier this year, the white paper on public services reform is organised according to five principles: Choice – wherever possible the government will increase choice; Decentralisation – Power should be decentralised to the lowest appropriate level; Diversity – Public services should be open to a range of providers; Fairness – the government will ensure fair access to public services; Accountability – Public services should be accountable to users and taxpayers.Download the white paper.

The Government has also launched a website, which will be open over the summer months, where individuals and organisations can submit their suggestions for openining up public services. To respond go to the Open Public Services website.

The Commission has published a synthesis of the responses to the Consultation on June 24. It is available to download. The Commission has also published the consultation responses. See the Commission website.

According to an article in the Financial Times Downing street insiders have confirmed that the 'Open Public Services' White Paper is unlikely to be published until July. According to the article, the white paper has been delayed by the putting on hold of the Governments proposals of reforms to the National Health Services. See our contribution to the 'Modernising Commissioning Green Paper' below for more information.

Published late January, the green paper sets out legal developments regarding the public procurement directive and stakeholder concerns arising from its application. It also sought views on a number of questions, on topics such as facilitating SME access to Public contracts and Social Services of General Interest.

We responded to the consultation on April 18, stressing special arrangements should be made for the procurement of Social Services of General Interest (such as Educational and Vocational Training services) to ensure that social value may be accounted for in procurement decisions and greater power is given to contracting authorities to ensure healthy supply chain arrangements that involve those organisations most appropriate to respond to human needs.

See the TSEN Response to the Green Paper

See the EC Green Paper

Released December 2010 and closing January 2011 the green paper set out broad ideas for how the Government could increase the involvement of Civil Society in the delivery of public services. Our response underlined the importance of micro (less than 10 employees) Civil Society organisations.

TSEN Response to the Modernising Commissioning Green Paper

See the Modernising Commissioning Green Paper

The consultation will help shape the awaited 'Open Public Services' white paper on public service reform now due to be published in July. See the Prime Minister's article in the Telegraph to learn more about the vision for public service delivery.