In our 'age of austerity' the notion of 'efficiency' has become inextricably linked with cost savings.  But efficiency is not simply about cutting money, it is about identifying and applying the most direct means to achieve a goal. 

Not just how much resource is used, but how appropriate that resource is, when it is used and how it is targeted. In Knowsley, for example, developing ‘a skilled and reliable volunteer workforce to greatly enhance quality and availability of [early years] services and their impact on users.’ (Ofsted).

That is not to say money is not involved. Innovation Unit’s model for delivering efficiency in public services, Radical Efficiency, developed in partnership with Nesta, is about delivering public services that are different, better whilst also being lower cost.