PUBLIC sector workers in West Devon could become their own boss and deliver better services under new Conservative plans — that was the message from constituency MP Geoffrey Cox, this week.

Under the proposals, public sector workers would have a new right to form employee-owned co-operatives to take over the services they deliver.

The Conservatives say this will empower thousands of public sector workers across Devon.

The MP, who has campaigned to keep services, such as Jobcentres, in market towns, said he was particularly pleased because it would mean that local services could be better designed for the needs of rural communities.

Mr Cox said: 'Public sector workers should have the chance to become their own boss.

'Employee-owned co-operatives can help cut waste and deliver better services for everyone in Torridge and West Devon.

'It will give the initiative to those working in local Jobcentres, for example to take steps better to tailor their services to the needs of our communities here.

'This shows how Conservatives will give power to the public sector workers.'

The new right to form employee-owned co-operatives would apply throughout the vast majority of the public sector — including Jobcentre Plus offices, community nursing teams and primary schools.

Under the Conservative proposals, employee-owned co-operatives would continue to be funded by the state so long as they met national standards, but would be 'freed from centralised bureaucracy and political micromanagement'.

They would be voluntary sector, not-for-profit organisations; any financial surpluses would be reinvested into the service and the staff who work there, rather than distributed to external shareholders.