Local government minister, John Healey, has denied he was ‘naming and shaming' councils for lagging behind on efficiency savings last week. Mr Healey said he was highlighting possible savings of the 10 councils with the biggest budgets. Several authorities reacted furiously after he claimed council taxes could be cut if councils were more efficient (see The MJ, 31 January). Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Norfolk and Surrey issued a joint statement, claiming they had saved £302m in three years. Mr Healey said: ‘Local government has a record in efficiency, which is why I want it to achieve a 3% saving each year in line with the rest of the public sector.'
