When Tory outsourcing and cuts end in fatal social services errors

The headquarters of Northamptonshire county council. Photograph: Joe Giddens/PAThe killing by violent men of two little children in Northamptonshire is shocking and distressing (Social services accused of failing toddlers murdered in their homes, 6 June). As Patrick Butler notes, the context for children’s services in the county was of disarray with great difficulty in recruiting and retaining social workers. Amid council funding cuts this is a national crisis. But Northamptonshire has bee