Following the Government's spending review in 2002, a series of PSAs were agreed. PSAs set out national priorities and targets for key Government departments. The PSAs for drug treatment are to: double the number of people in effective, well-managed treatment from 100,000 in 1998 to 200,000 in 2008 increase the percentage of those successfully completing or appropriately continuing treatment year on year.

Contracts of agreement with government, to work towards certain targets in the provision of good public services.

Government initiative designed to free up councils to deliver services to respond to local needs, while meeting or exceeding nationally set standards.

An agreement between an individual Local Authority and Government departments. In return for enhanced service performance, the Government is offering to relax some planning, operational and financial restrictions and to provide substantial financial incentives.

A Public Service Agreement (PSA) sets out what a department will deliver in the form of measurable targets over the public expenditure review period, in return for its agreed spending. Real Terms/Constant Prices Expenditure measured against a standard of constant value. It makes allowance for changes in purchasing power as a result of inflation (see also cash terms/cash prices).