* Principles of good practice on appointments, training, openness, codes of conduct and conflicts of interest should be adopted by all local publicly-funded bodies;

* All bodies should adopt codes of practice on whistleblowing to make sure concerns can be raised inside or, if necessary, outside the organisation.

Higher and further education

* All colleges should have a publicly-available register of interests;

* If confidentiality clauses are “absolutely necessary” they should remind staff that legitimate concerns about malpractice may be raised if in the public interest.

Grant-maintained schools

* Secretary of State should delegate day-to-day operation of schools to the Funding Agency for Schools;

* Key decisions on matters such as budgets, major capital spending, appointment or dismissal of head cannot be made without the broad consensus of governors;

* Terms of office for first, foundation and sponsor governors should be reduced to four years in line with elected governors.

TECs

* Relationship between the Government and TECs should be made formal;

* Eligibility for appointment as a director should be simplified to widen representation;

* It should be a condition of licences or contracts for TECs that they should regularly publicise contracts or grants awarded to organisations with which their directors or close family members are associated.