BSA: Statement on John Hutton’s announcement of a review of ‘public service industry’

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Wednesday, 05, Dec 2007 12:00

Commenting on John Hutton’s announcement that Dr DeAnne Julius will head a review of the increasing contribution being made to the UK’s economy by firms and other organizations contracted to deliver services across the public sector BSA Chief Executive Mark Fox said:

“In recent times some political rhetoric has betrayed a creeping ambivalence to the role of the private sector in the delivery of public services. It would be a mistake if this political rhetoric manifested itself in public policy.

Similarly it has become perhaps too easy for the providers of outsourced services to become political whipping blocks when things do not turn out as originally envisaged.

A service that is outsourced from the public sector should not mean the public sector abrogates its responsibility for management and accountability in delivering the service. Executive responsibility does not end when something is outsourced. In other words the nature of responsibility changes but is not ended.

At a time when official reports indicate concern about the number of high quality providers bidding for public sector contractors the industry and the BSA needs to continue to work with the Government, MPs, officials, the media and others to ensure the public sector remains an attractive place in which to provide business and outsourced services.

The review will highlight the increasingly important role business and outsourced service providers play in delivering efficient and innovative services right across the public sector and we look forward to contributing to the process.”