It's been a while since I've last blogged and more is slowly sweeping its way through. The emergency budget was announced on 22 June 2010.The BBC has produced a summary on the key points of the emergency budget which you might find useful: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10374475.stm. 

Just to point out that the Chancellor has said that apart from Health and international aid, there will be budget cuts of 25% over five years. However, of course this does leave me to question what impact the cuts will have on social care. Local councils will have to contribute £1.166 billion to the £6.2 billion cross government savings in 2010/11. The government maintains that such savings will not affect front line services, however at a recent cabinet meeting I attended, it felt as if 'efficiency savings' are to be made, it will soon become extremely challenging to ensure frontline services are not affected.

On the other hand, Leicestershire is part of a one of the 13 pilots taking place across the country for a new initiative called Total Place. Total Place is a new initiative that looks at how a 'whole area' approach to public services can lead to better services at less cost. So basically, it's about each public sector organisation working together where possible, to not only save money but to avoid duplication.

So maybe this new initiative is the way to ensure front line services do not suffer.

Time will tell............

To view the full documents on the budget please click below: http://www.hmtreasury.gov.uk/junebudget_documents.htm   

To view information on total place please click below: http://www.localleadership.gov.uk/totalplace/about/faqs/#what