When the Government first unveiled its plans for efficiency savings there were targets for each government department and details of how many jobs would be lost. Oh, and by the way, that goes for you in local government too. Several months on, and the picture is slightly clearer. But if you're still confused, you are not alone. Barry Quirk, chief executive of Lewisham LEC, does understand. He has been appointed by the Government as its efficiency champion. And if anyone can explain the concept, this straight-talking south Londoner is the man to do it. He is not known for mincing his words, and is clearly unfazed by the whole issue. As we meet in his Cat- ford office, he quickly runs through the figures - billions here and millions there - and my head is reeling. But I can just about manage to keep up.
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