The open public services white paper has no big idea - its just a jumble of wonkish fads, writes Dexter Whitfield, director of the European Services Strategy Unit.
Professor Dexter Whitfield is the director of the European Services Strategy Unit, and Adjunct Associate Professor for the Australian Institute for Social Research, University of Adelaide
The Open Public Services White Paper has numerous flaws, the most overriding and fundamental one being that it is bereft of strategy. The document is designed like a shopping catalogue drawing on anything and everything that might be relevant to the modernisation of public services. It draws on virtually all of New Labour’s policies, plus coalition initiatives and proposals in the Localism Bill.
It lacks any understanding of how public services can be improved and transformed. ‘Top down’ is rejected for a ‘bottom up’ approach, and the division of services into individual, neighbourhood and commissioned beggars belief – particularly since all services will be commissioned.
The white paper is devoid of an analysis of the transaction costs of the proposals. There is little recognition that there is a financial crisis and recession; large sums of public money could be diverted into funding provider challenges and creating new organisations.
It is almost certain that ownership and competition will continue to dominate the public sector transformation agenda in Britain, resulting in continued failure to create the conditions for genuine and sustainable change.
The vagueness of how the proposals will be implemented creates an opportunity for concerted opposition. The white paper will spur on a collection of voluntary sector opportunists, carpet baggers, empowerment brokers and social enterprise agents.
The lack of strategy presents an important opportunity for national and local alliances of trade unions, community and civil society organisations to marginalise most of the proposals and to strengthen opposition to coalition policies.
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8 Responses to “Cameron’s public services white paper lacks strategy and direction”
amanda bentham
Cameron’s public services white paper lacks strategy and direction: http://bit.ly/owWYb5 writes Professor Dexter Whitfield
Larry Gardiner
Cameron’s public services white paper lacks strategy and direction: http://bit.ly/owWYb5 writes Professor Dexter Whitfield
Martin Johnston
Cameron’s public services white paper lacks strategy and direction: http://bit.ly/owWYb5 writes Professor Dexter Whitfield
jamie
When will people connect the dots….serously lacking understanding of effects, systems and strategc need of social services and supports….eh!!!! Because they never use them and it is not part of their carve up thee UK for the private chums agenda…Cameron was offered as a houshold name,,,because he invaded every house through sky and the BBC…not because he is real…he is nothing, a single glazing saleman…the emptiness should be expected..and seen as a weakness that should be challenged at all turns as real opposition and independent challenge to their deeply flawed agenda
Mr. Sensible
The whole ‘Big Society’ agenda is really a cover for cuts to services.