The Politics of Public Sector Reform : From Thatcher to the Coalition

The first comprehensive 'bird's eye' account of public sector reform supported by references from over 400 official sources, this book is an invaluable guide to all those in the public, private and voluntary sectors grappling with the twin challenges of managing public spending austerity and the pressure in response to transform public services. The UK public sector faces an unprecedented long-term challenge. A decade of plenty in the public finances has been followed by a decade and more of austerity. Public services are undergoing long-term annual spending cuts even as demographic changes create soaring demand in health, education and adult care. The challenge for the public sector is how to radically transform and adapt to the new era while avoiding the mistakes of previous reform programmes. In this first comprehensive 'bird's eye' account of public sector reform supported by studies from over 400 official sources, the book offers an invaluable practical guide to all those in the public, private and voluntary sectors grappling with the twin challenges of public spending austerity and the pressure to transform public services and ensure they are 'fit for purpose.' The Uk Public Sector Faces An Unprecedented Long-term Challenge. A Decade Of Plenty In The Public Finances Has Been Followed By A Decade And More Of Austerity. Public Services Are Undergoing Long-term Annual Spending Cuts Even As Demographic Changes Create Soaring Demand In Health, Education And Adult Care. The Challenge For The Public Sector Is How To Radically Transform And Adapt To The New Era While Avoiding The Mistakes Of Previous Reform Programmes. In This First Comprehensive 'bird's Eye' Account Of Public Sector Reform Supported By Studies From Over 400 Official Sources, The Book Offers An Invaluable Practical Guide To All Those In The Public, Private And Voluntary Sectors Grappling With The Twin Challenges Of Public Spending Austerity And The Pressure To Transform Public Services And Ensure They Are 'fit For Purpose.'--publisher's Website. Introduction -- Part I: The Background To Reform. Reform Under The Conservatives 1979-97 ; Reform Under Labour 1997-2010 ; Reform Under The Coalition 2010-2015. -- Part Ii: The Drivers Of Reform. Number Ten And The Cabinet Office ; The Treasury ; The Role Of Parliament ; The Role Of The Consumer And Competition. -- Part Iii: Reforming The Key Public Services. Whitehall ; The Nhs ; Local Governnment ; The Police ; Welfare ; Education And Schools. -- Part Iv: The Role Of Performance Regimes In Public Sector Reform. Measuring Performance ; Monitoring Performance ; The International Perspective ; Conclusion. Michael Burton. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-vi The Politics of Public Sector Reform: From Thatcher to the Coalition....Pages 1-13 Front Matter....Pages 15-15 Reform Under the Conservatives 1979–1997....Pages 17-26 Reform Under Labour 1997—2010....Pages 27-36 Reform Under the Coalition 2010–2015....Pages 37-49 Front Matter....Pages 51-51 Number 10 and the Cabinet Office....Pages 53-63 The Treasury....Pages 64-77 The Role of Parliament....Pages 78-87 The Role of the Consumer and Competition....Pages 88-104 Front Matter....Pages 105-105 Whitehall....Pages 107-127 The National Health Service....Pages 128-148 Local Government....Pages 149-171 The Police....Pages 172-188 Welfare....Pages 189-201 Education and Schools....Pages 202-215 Front Matter....Pages 217-217 Measuring Performance....Pages 219-232 Monitoring Performance....Pages 233-239 The International Context....Pages 240-246 Conclusion: The Next Steps for Reform....Pages 247-253 Back Matter....Pages 254-276