CBI director to become government adviser

26 May 05
John Williams, director of public services at the CBI business lobby, is the latest senior outsider to be recruited as a special adviser to the government.

27 May 2005

John Williams, director of public services at the CBI business lobby, is the latest senior outsider to be recruited as a special adviser to the government.

Williams joins John Hutton, the minister in charge of public services reform, on June 13. He is expected to advise the Cabinet Office minister on deregulation and service reform from a 'clear brief' set by Number 10.

However, with his business background, he is also expected to work on introducing more competition and diversity into the public sector, clearly signalled by the government in its election manifesto. His appointment is seen as a coup for industry, which has been vocal about its 'limited role' in the public sector.

Just before his appointment, Williams told Public Finance: 'On the front line there is clearly much greater scope for competition and contestability. But the government has struggled with a clear route map on how to get there and how to break down the barriers to entry into the market.

'There is no coherence to the arguments over why the private sector couldn't provide more services as long as they are free at the point of delivery.'

PFmay2005

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