Cherie's Place

MYTH 4 The private sector is more responsive to service users’ individual needs
REALITY Only the public sector can respond to society’s collective needs
Public sector reforms are often based on the idea that public service users should be treated as consumers. In many cases, this focus is both appropriate and necessary. For instance, the [...]

MYTH 3 Competition is the best way to improve public services
REALITY Public Services are too important to compete on price
The imposition of competition and markets in the public sector means driving a wedge between client and contractor roles and usually results in the restriction of in-house delivery. Local authorities, NHS Trusts and other public [...]

MYTH 2 The private sector costs less than the public sector to deliver services and is more efficient
REALITY There is no evidence to show that the private sector is more efficient than the public sector
In the pursuit to do ‘more for less’ the argument is often heard that the private sector can run services better [...]

MYTH  1  During the economic downturn, the best way to save money is to privatise public services
REALITY During the downturn, public money is best kept within the public sector
As the public sector faces pressure to squeeze spending, politicians, commentators and contractors have called for more public services to be transferred to the private and voluntary [...]

The recession has placed unprecedented strain on local public services and economies. Public services are facing increasing demand, yet are under mounting pressure to make savings and become more efficient. One suggestion often put forward to tackle the country’s growing debt problem is to outsource or privatise our public services. This pamphlet examines this proposition [...]

Summary
While the recession places increased demand on local public services, they are also under mounting pressure to make savings and become more efficient. One suggestion often put forward to tackle the country’s growing debt problem is to outsource or privatise our public services. This pamphlet examines this proposition and attempts to explode some of the [...]