110 likes | 128 Views
Explore the evolution of public sector reform in the UK over the past 30 years, analyzing key policies and their impacts on services. Delve into the challenges ahead as public finances tighten and demands rise. Discover the drivers of reform, key service areas affected, and international comparisons. Assess the effectiveness of reforms and uncover critical conclusions for future success. Available on Amazon and other book sites.
E N D
Michael Burton • Editorial Director, Hemming Local Government (publishers) • Author, The Politics of Public Sector Reform from Thatcher to the Coalition (June 2013)
Why write a book on public sector reform? • 30 years of reform – what does it mean? • Wanted to put it into perspective • Wanted to put it together in one book with an overview • At a crunch time in public finances – big changes ahead
Previous reforms • The Conservatives: Thatcher and Major • New Labour: Blair and Brown • The Coalition: heirs of Blair or a new direction in reform?
The overview • Crunch time in public finances – austerity plus rising demand • Big cuts in local government. Health and education protected but a cut due to rising demand • Need transformation – but what does it mean?
The drivers of reform Treasury • No 10 • The Treasury • Select committees • The consumer • Private sector competition
Key services where reform has taken place • Whitehall • NHS • Local government • Police • Welfare • Education
How the UK compares internationally • Civil service: survey of OECD • Health • Education: PISA
Has reform worked? • Public sector more responsive • Big IT projects and procurement remain a problem • Whitehall silo-working impedes joint working • NHS still regarded as in need of more efficiencies • Local government coping with 30% less
Key conclusions: my 10 points • Transformation means less staff • Suppliers’ margins will be cut • Ministers are part of the problem • Reform dogged by ‘not invented here’ • Importance of leadership • Don’t go for easy savings…
..and the remaining conclusions • Get over territorialism • Long-term socio-economic challenges must be addressed • Public must get real about what they can expect from public services • Break down silos –go for a total place approach to service delivery
A brief summary of 276 pages! And if you want to read the book it’s on websites at Amazon Palgrave Macmillan Other book sites you can find on Google