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The Scottish government’s current approach to public service reform is doomed to fail, the think tank has warned

On 29th June 2011, the Christie Commission set out a vision for Scotland's public services. Its key recommendation – a shift towards preventative spending - attracted an unusually wide political consensus. Yet, that and many other recommendations remain unimplemented 15 years on.

According to IPPR Scotland, what followed instead was precisely what the Commission had warned against: years of austerity, persistent inequality and a rising demand on services. The think tank has said the Scottish government’s current approach to public service reform risks repeating the mistakes of the past.

Dave Hawkey, senior research fellow at IPPR Scotland, said:

“The Christie Commission’s recommendations attracted a degree of consensus that is exceptionally rare in Scottish politics. It is therefore deeply frustrating that such little progress has been made in implementing these proposals over the last 15 years.

"A failure to address the inequalities driving poor outcomes comes at a great cost. The impacts can be seen right across society: from the potholes in our street to the rise of corridor care in the NHS.

“It’s simply wrong to assume that the public sector is bloated and idle. Demand on public services has grown and will continue to grow. An ageing population is increasing pressure on the NHS and social care systems. Brexit has transferred responsibilities previously handled in Brussels to Scotland.

“The approach to public service reform proposed by the Scottish government risks Scotland sleepwalking into a new round of austerity. Eventually, less can only deliver less. Ministers need to set out a credible programme for achieving the headcount reduction they are committed to. Scotland also needs an honest conversation about the level of tax required to fund the services we all rely on.”

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS:

Dave Hawkey, senior research fellow at IPPR Scotland, is available for interview.

CONTACT:

Sukhada Tatke, media and impact officer at IPPR Scotland: s.tatke@ippr.org; 07901169121

NOTES TO EDITORS:

IPPR Scotland published a report titled More for Less? earlier this year making the case for a progressive reform agenda that can help meet fiscal challenges and sustain excellent public services for all into the future.
IPPR Scotland shapes public policy in pursuit of a fairer, greener, more prosperous Scotland.