ABSTRACT
In July 1993, the new Under Secretary of State, Ann Widdecombe, who impressed heads of Careers Service with her rapid grasp of a difficult brief, launched a ‘Careers Service Prospectus’ seeking bids to provide the Careers Service in 13 selected ‘Pathfinder’ areas in England. She did so against an awkward background. The government’s expenditure plans for 1993-4 and 1995-6 referred to providers as including private companies, TECs, LEAs and the Employment Service. Arrangements would be made in the interim to pay local authorities for administering the Service, under direction from the Department of Employment.
