The Development of the Strategic State and the Performance Management of Local Authorities in England

The inspection of public services in the UK by agencies of central government dates back at least as far as the early nineteenth century: “The first inspectors of schools were established under the Factories Act of 1833 with the power to establish schools for children working in the factories. The role developed into an inspection function to gather information and report back to the government on the implementation of education clauses of legislation” (Martin 2008, 52).