Government launches call for evidence on public service reform

The government has launched a call for evidence on public service reform as it seeks to introduce greater diversity of service provision and new forms of accountability.

The Treasury and the Cabinet Office said they particularly wanted to explore the following and how they could drive reform:

• Promotion of independent provision in key public services
• Development of new rights for communities and public employees to buy and run services
• Attraction of external investment and expertise into the public sector “to deliver better and more efficient services”
• Extension of innovative payment and funding mechanisms, “such as personal budgets and payment-by-results commissioning in more areas”
• Increased democratic accountability at a local level.

The government is also seeking views on how maintenance of continuity of service and management of risks can be ensured in light of these reforms.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer said in the recent Comprehensive Spending Review that the government wanted to “develop further policies that shift power to the users of public services and support the judgement of public sector professionals”.

The two government departments said they wanted “anyone with an interest, particularly frontline staff, managers and independent providers of public services, think tanks and users of services to share their views and insights on how these reforms could be successfully implemented”.

However, the government also said that those with more detailed views on commissioning and procurement of services should be aware of the impending publication of the Cabinet Office’s Green Paper on the topic. This is to look at how to create a level playing field for civil society organisations wanting to bid for public services contracts.