All the major political parties proclaim their commitment to high quality public services. The coalition has singled out the NHS for exceptional protection (although the policy is more smoke and mirrors than a reality) and the Labour party has sought to trump this offer with pledges for twenty thousand more nurses and eight thousand more GPs to be recruited...

The Government is considering introducing new transparency rules for major public sector contracts for the delivery of public services. This is most welcome and long overdue.

It follows National Audit Office (NAO) reports and comments from the Public Accounts Committee and trade unions as well as many commentators and organisations interested in both public accountability and effective public services. Indeed,...

The correlation between the quality of public services and the quality of the leadership responsible for them has never been more vivid and tangible than today. Witness the dramatic shift away from both the historic ‘strong commander’ style and the unseen, closeted bureaucrat, sending memorandums or all “all staff e-mails’ and expecting to see results improve in proportion to...

The correlation between the quality of public services and the quality of the leadership responsible for them has never been more vivid and tangible than today. Witness the dramatic shift away from both the historic ‘strong commander’ style and the unseen, closeted bureaucrat, sending memorandums or all “all staff e-mails’ and expecting to see results improve in proportion to...

The fallout from the Scottish independence referendum is likely to be shaking politics and governance across the UK for many years. It would seem that politics and governance in Scotland itself have already started to change, and whatever the outcome...

Innovation and transformation can never fully plug the gap left by public expenditure cuts. But, properly used,  they can certainly help

‘Innovation’ has to mean just that – a culture and readiness to embrace challenge and new approaches. Across the public sector and from the lips of its advisors, consultants and leaders you hear the words ‘innovation’, ‘transformation’ and many...

The voluntary and community sector faces unprecedented challenges. These challenges are deep and very significant including the withdrawal of public funding, political attacks, and increased demand for services (especially as a result of cuts to publi...

Dear Minister Welcome to the new job. I write this memorandum as someone who works with many civil society organisations, is a trustee of some national and local charities and as a former senior executive in that sector. I expect none of us could ha...

The recent announcement of a review of the Social Value Act is both very welcome and very timely. The Act has already had ‘some’ positive impact, establishing principles that should underpin all aspects of government and public service – including specifically placing public benefit ahead of private gain when public expenditure is paying for public services.

The Social Value Act,...

The party conference season is underway. These are going to be last conferences before the 2015 general election. Therefore, they each will take on an added significance as policy is debated and announced. Given the aftermath of the Scottish referendu...