From recession to renewal : the impact of the financial crisis on public services and local government / edited by Joanna Richardson.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Pt. 1. Context -- chapter 1. Introduction : the scope and challenges of the financial crisis / Joanna Richardson and Colin Copus -- chapter 2. The historical context of the global financial crisis : from Bretton Woods to the debacle of neoliberalism / George Lambie -- chapter 3. Financial crises, governance and cohesion : can governments learn up? / Stuart Holland -- part 2. Policies and issues -- chapter 4. Public policy responses to fiscal debt or deficit : is there a difference? / Fred Mear -- chapter 5. Protecting the community from the effects of the financial crisis / Joanna Richardson -- chapter 6. Exploring the local political context of the recession / Steve Leach and Mark Roberts -- chapter 7. Efficiencies in public service delivery / John Seddon and Brendan O'Donovan -- chapter 8. Choice, empowerment, personalisation : taking forward public services in a recession / Tim Brown and Nicola Yates -- chapter 9. Governing the mix : how local government still matters / Helen Sullivan -- part 3. Conclusion -- chapter 10. Conclusion : from recession to renewal? / Joanna Richardson.

The banking collapse and ensuing global financial crisis has been the subject of much analysis and speculation. One growing certainty is that there will be an impact on the delivery of public services and on local government and governance. This topical book examines and debates the challenges posed, on a local, European and global level, by the imperative to balance a fiscal need for smaller public expenditure with a social need for strong governance and protection of the most vulnerable in UK society. Leading academics in the field of local governance contribute to a diverse set of analyses on the impact of the financial crisis