Cameron pledges public sector sell-off plans

Author: Local Government Chronicle - Feb 21, 2011

Almost all public services could be opened up to private companies under plans being put forward by David Cameron.

In an article for the Daily Telegraph, the Prime Minister said that “complete change” was needed in the public sector to improve standards for users.

A new presumption that private companies, voluntary groups and charities should be allowed to bid to provide services would allow the government to transform public services without having to legislate repeatedly to allow different providers to get involved.

The changes, to be set out in a White Paper within the next fortnight, could allow non-public providers to run schools, hospitals and council services such as maintaining parks, adult care, special schools and roads maintenance.

Outside providers would be offered payment-by-results contracts, increasing their earnings as the quality of services improves.

Mr Cameron wrote: “We will create a new presumption - backed up by new rights for public service users and a new system of independent adjudication - that public services should be open to a range of providers competing to offer a better service.

“Of course, there are some areas - like national security services or the judiciary - where this wouldn’t make sense. But everywhere else should be open to real diversity.”

Mr Cameron said that the changes would release the public sector from “the grip of state control”, ending the era of “old-fashioned, top-down, take-what you’re-given” services.

The government hopes that the plan will reduce bureaucracy, improve quality and save money but it is certain to be opposed by Labour, the unions and many users of public services.

“I would argue that our plans to devolve power from Whitehall, and to modernise public services, are more significant aspects of our Big Society agenda than the work we’re doing to boost social action,” said the prime minister in his Telegraph column

“We will soon publish a White Paper setting out our approach to public service reform. It will put in place principles that will signal the decisive end of the old-fashioned, top-down, take-what-you’re-given model of public services.

“And it is a vital part of our mission to dismantle big government and build the Big Society in its place.”

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