• the sector has experienced significant financial challenges as public sector grants and contracts have been taken away or severely squeezed. Voluntary fundraising has been particularly challenging as living standards and pay continue to fall. At the same time, demand for the services of many charities and VCS organisations has increased driven by demographic changes, Government welfare reforms, cuts...
Localism looks and feels different in different places, because their communities’ needs and aspirations are different. And that’s exactly as it should be
Over the last few years, we have heard much talk of ‘localism’. Government ministers, opposition shadow ministers, local government leaders, and the voluntary and community sector all fondly speak of their passion for ‘localism’. And no doubt...
The UK public services business outsourcing industry has had a torrid year, attracting the worst kind of media attention. Major companies have been exposed for failing to pay UK corporation tax whilst others are the subject of police and Serious Fraud Office enquiries. The National Audit Office (NAO) has written about a ‘crisis of public confidence’, and companies have...
In her new book Why Fight Poverty?Julia Unwin, chief executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, challenges those who argue that the current levels of poverty in the UK are acceptable and inevitable.
Tragically and unnecessarily, poverty is increasing. The UK has the seventh wealthiest economy in the world yet has increasing poverty and stark inequalities, both of income and...
Few challenges in the public sphere – whether social, economic or environmental – can be resolved by a single organisation. Many solutions require contributions from across the public, business, social, voluntary and community sectors. Successful solutions often require partnerships between a number of agencies, and with communities and citizens.
Experience demonstrates that most organisations find it easier to talk about...
The political leadership in our town and county halls too often undermines collaboration with local businesses and the voluntary and community sector. Leaders must up their game or consider their positions
There is a growing consensus that a leading, indeed perhaps the principal role of local government, should be to assume ‘community leadership’ and ‘shape their places’.
Local government has a...
I am proud to say that I am optimistic for the future of the voluntary and community sector (VCS) in England over the next few years.
Now, I recognise that to many in the sector, this may seem a perverse view. And indeed, finding myself speaking at two conferences in Hampshire and London on the future of the sector last...
Recent public sector outsourcing scandals have prompted a government review. It needs to go much further than currently envisaged, and question many of the assumptions surrounding contracting
Senior executives have resigned – and now the Cabinet Office is undertaking a review of all UK public sector service contracts involving Serco and G4S – following recent scandals and some very serious...
Place shaping and leadership of place are very much back on the localism agenda.
This must involve the public sector, of course, but also local businesses and the voluntary and community sector. It has to be about local people choosing what kind of place – what kind of local economy, society and environment – they want. Of course, no place...
After a series of outsourcing scandals, the government should be putting its focus on the public and social sectors
The resignation of Chris Hyman, CEO of Serco, is one of many recent stories affecting public service Category: Uncategorised