The complex and challenging nature of delivering public services at a local level has never been under more pressure. Public service integration – collaboration between different services within local government and with external partners across other sectors – can make a very real and significant difference.

The UK is set to spend over £9bn this year on PFI contracts – and a total of £48bn in the next five years. This level of spending will continue until we see the first peak in contracts expiring around 2030. Expiry will see assets worth £14bn (their original capital value) transferring back to public ownership.