In this context, there also needs to be a critical evaluation of the benefits and costs of the UK's world military role.

BBC: Viewpoints: Future of the British army

The foundation and others have estimated that it could cost between 1.5% and 2% of the overall budget for teacher compensation and benefits to implement a feedback and evaluation system based on multiple measures of teaching performance.

CNN: Bill Gates: Invest in better teaching

In 2004, an evaluation carried out by the University of Oxford concluded that the threat of losing benefits made little difference to compliance with community sentences.

BBC: Community service plan 'failing'

If it were to ask the Treasury to properly evaluate the costs and benefits of breaking up RBS, and publish such an evaluation, it would be difficult to see how the Chancellor could refuse.

BBC: Should the Treasury keep 'bad' RBS?

As for collective bargaining, it essentially makes public workers a fourth branch of government, where no changes in employee benefits, pay, or evaluation can be changed without union approval.

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