'...written in a reader-friendly style...The concluding section should be required reading for all local-government researchers and practitioners.' - David Burningham, Times Higher Education Supplement 'Written in a user-friendly style, making full use of international data and cross-country comparisons...starting with a thorough review of the trade-off between technical efficiency and economies of scale and the exit-voice framework, he successfully navigates the reader through the economics of charging grants, expenditure and taxation to issues of local-government reform, competition and quality. The concluding section should be required reading for all local-government researchers and practitioners.' - David Burningham, Times Higher Educational Supplement 'A most interesting book that will fill an important gap in the market.' - Professor P.M. Jackson, Director, Management Centre, Leicester University