Overview The initiative was criticised by some for claiming to improve public services while reducing the money available for them, and for introducing private methods of management in the public sector. It was also claimed that the result was a "box-ticking mentality" concentrating on the measurable, rather than on the individual users of services. Many in Major's own government were indifferent about the initiative. Some elements of the Charter idea were also unsuccessful, notably the much-derided "
Cones Hotline". However, many have since praised the initiative as improving the culture and transparency of the public sector. All new applications for Charter Marks were officially closed on 30 June 2008 and the scheme was terminated in 2010, with the officially declared final validity date being 30 June 2011. It was replaced with a similar
Customer Service Excellence scheme. == Sources ==