KNOW something? Britain needs a knowledge minister. So says Computing (May 5), which is backing calls for the Government to do more to co-ordinate policy on innovation, skills and entrepreneurship. “We need a culture of innovation, making technology the foundation of business success and government efficiency,” says the journal. “Without this, every industry — and every citizen — will lose out.”

So far, so private sector. But what of the public sector? Can it contribute to — and benefit from — a burgeoning knowledge economy? Yes, says Professor Mark Hepworth, the director of Local Futures, a geography think-tank, writing in Whitehall & Westminster World (May 3).

In most parts of Britain, he says, it is the public sector that generates most graduate jobs and “knowledge-intensive” economic activity. “Now, and especially in lagging regions and deprived localities, we urgently need to make the public sector a key player in the knowledge community.”

Any ideas how, Professor? Yes. He wants “wise policies” that make the public sector a key asset in the knowledge economy; a “skills-driven” public sector that becomes a model for workplace training and learning; and a re-think of traditional institutions, such as libraries. “We should be building them up as local knowledge-economy players, not running them down as extravagant ‘book warehouses’.”

But for knowledge to shine its light, first it has to prevent ignorance from blowing the bulbs. And on that charge, New Start (May 6) reports, the NHS stands accused. A regeneration project, Groundwork Wirral, says that health service procurement managers do not understand social enterprise and are therefore ignorant of the benefits of local procurement. Work is now under way in the North West of England to make the NHS supply chain both local and green.

Can you have too much knowledge? Yes, says Public Finance (May 6). It quotes a study that says the public sector hangs on to information for far too long. Systems used to store and retrieve documents that may be required under the Freedom of Information Act are creaking as a result.

Finally, one woman must be regretting the knowledge that a local council gained when she was vetted for a job. Local Government Chronicle (May 5) says that detailed vetting revealed suspect benefit claims. Instead of a job, she got community service and a bill for nearly £9,000.

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