Understanding the Public Services Industy

Public Services Industry Review
Also working for local government, The Audit Commission is the independent body
responsible for ensuring value for money in England in local government, housing, health,
criminal justice and fire and rescue services. Their aims include raising standards of
financial management and financial reporting; encouraging continual improvement in public
services to meet the changing needs of diverse communities and provide fair access for all
and promoting high standards of governance and accountability.
The AC produce value for money reports for local public services. They also carry out
inspections to audit local authorities’ plans for improvement and assess the quality, cost
effectiveness and prospects for these improvements. Their national studies programme
provides research-based advice, recommendations and practical tools to implement
improvements. Healthy Competition (AC, 2007) considered the potential for councils to
use competition and contestability to generate cost savings and service improvements
and makes recommendations with practical advice on ways in which local councils, local
governments and central governments can individually and together make improvements.
Primary Role Central Government Local Government
Policy and Legislative
Audit and Inspectorate
Improvement
Office for Government
Commerce
National Audit Office
Office for Government
Commerce
National Audit Office
Office of Fair Trading
Communities and Local
Government
Audit Commission
4ps
Same as Central Government
Also:
Communities and Local
Government
Audit Commission
4ps
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