Aerial view of the Borders General Hospital on the edge of the Scottish Borders town of Melrose

More for less? Employment, productivity and reform in Scottish public services

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Excellent public services should be foundational to a flourishing society.

Yet there is currently widespread dissatisfaction with the services that the devolved public sector in Scotland provides. And concerns over their future viability are rising – the fiscal gap facing the next Scottish government is real, significant and immediate. Frustratingly, current political discourse about public service reform lacks substance. 

This report considers evidence on public sector employment, wages and productivity to inform recommendations on how a progressive reform agenda can be pursued more effectively, thereby helping to meet fiscal challenges and sustain excellent public services for all into the future.

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