Devolution is key to creating world-class public services

Devolution, to create world-class public services, seems to be the government’s theme for the summer.

Last week’s announcements on welfare benefits and primary health care and the forthcoming local government White Paper on community empowerment will all seek to devolve service delivery to a range of third and private sector organizations.

Any monopoly, whether private or public, becomes expensive, unresponsive and unaccountable over time and these plans seek to bring providers closer to their customers or end-users: a change that should be welcomed by all.

The existing providers - GPs, councils and the employment service - will no doubt be nervous and worried about this change.  However, we should not fall into the trap of confusing their concern over the future of their businesses and organisations with their professional judgment: a confusion that they will seek to exploit.

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