Government to consider mutualism for housing and social care

The government has asked an independent commission to explore the possibility of developing mutualism in housing, hospitals and children's services.

Mutualism - the greater involvement of staff and users in public services - is now expected to make up a key section of Labour's general election manifesto next year.

The policy already exists in the healthcare system, with 1.3 million members of the public elected to foundation trust boards.

However, the Guardian reports that several cabinet ministers are keen to see the government show a "clearer embrace" of mutualism in the wake of the economic downturn.

Cabinet office minister Tessa Jowell is expected to outline Labour's plans for mutuals in a speech to the pressure group Progress.

She will say: "By bringing users, employees and other stakeholders together as members of the same establishment, mutualism transforms the organisational culture and embeds real democratic accountability."

Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph states that the government is also considering plans to roll out housing trusts in which members seeking homes would pay according to income rather than property value.