08 February 2002
The local government secretary had hoped to unveil the findings of the review, which is focusing on the two-tier workforce, at Labour's spring conference in Cardiff last weekend.
But a source close to the panel, which includes trade union, local government and private sector representatives, told Public Finance there was no prospect of it reaching a conclusion soon. 'We will be meeting well into February,' the source said.
The panel cannot agree a position on the two-tier workforce issue. Union representatives are demanding legal protection for workers' terms and conditions, while the private sector fiercely opposes the move.
The source warned that it was unlikely the review panel would come up with ready-made solutions that Byers could just implement. 'Our job is to try and help him, and to reach a consensus, but we can't do his job for him. If a consensus isn't possible, he'll have to step in.'
Amanda McIntyre, head of modernising government at the CBI, which wrote to ministers last month about a voluntary code for contractors, warned that legislation would dissuade many in the private sector from doing deals with public bodies. 'Undoubtedly, in the past employees' terms and conditions were damaged,' she said. 'We are concerned to preserve market flexibility and operational freedom so the best contractors see local authorities as top customers.'
PFfeb2002
