Efficiency review

Retail giant Sir Philip Green has been asked to conduct an efficiency review into government spending.

Ministers want the well-respected businessman, whose clothing empire includes Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and BHS, to apply his practises to government departments.

He will assess whether government contracts entered into since 2007 are value for money and report back before the conclusion of the comprehensive spending review.

The appointment has triggered a debate about the effectiveness of efficiency savings drives, with some arguing actually implementing the changes is much harder than the new government thinks.