Monday 3rd December, 2012

The BBC reports that the leader of a north London council has defended plans to award £1bn worth of contracts to outsource back office services over 10 years. Barnet council wants to award the deal to two private firms, describing it as the largest out-sourcing of services in local government history. Council leader Richard Cornelius said the proposals would save £120m. The plans, which would see the loss of 200 jobs, have been criticised by opponents.