The 2010 Open Public Services white paper set out a bold ambition to transfer one in six public service employees into employee-owned organisations (mutuals).

Minister Francis Maude said: ‘We must not be afraid to do things differently if we are to provide better services for less money.' Enacted through the Localism Act 2011 and Social Value Act 2012, the Cabinet Office was tasked to deliver this ambition by 2015.