The way that the public sector delivers and commissions its services is ever-changing and the sector is now becoming more and more of a mixed market economy with shared service agreements,outsourcing, mutuals and social enterprises becoming increasing more visual.

Local authorities are encouraged to spend their budgets to meet local needs and a focus on outcomes rather than inputs. Who delivers services on behalf of the public sector is not a priority. A recent survey by Populus for Insight Aff airs showed that 75 per cent of people agree that,'the most important thing is to have high quality, free public services – not who is involved in running them'.