The Tender Trap
A E3.5 billion revolution is sweeping through Britain's town halls. By August, every council in England and Wales will have to start putting six essential services out to tender - including rubbish collection, school-cleaning and parks - and private contractors will be expected to bid for them. It's designed to save hundreds of millions of pounds, but thousands may lose their jobs. Will the home owner get better value for money or will the quality of services decline?
From Wolverhampton,
Manchester, Lincoln, London and the dustbins of Paris, Ian Smith investigates the time bomb the Tories have set ticking under local government. Producer MARK KILLICK Editor TIM GARDAM