Local education authorities as "commissioner and quality assurers" of education services, not the direct providers.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Education | Plan at a glance

But that would still leave other large, mutually owned firms, such as the co-operatives and some life assurers.

ECONOMIST: Building societies

It is also, though, because life assurers are so complicated, a fact that is born out by the 800-plus pages of the official report into the affair published by Lord Penrose, a senior judge, this week (see article).

ECONOMIST: Financial regulation