Key UK Policy Documents
(Please note: links on this page will open the page in a new browser window)
Open Public Services White Paper (PDF) HM Government, 2011 The Stationery Office The paper sets out a policy framework for liberalising and decentralising public services in England and Wales. UK
Commission on the Future of Public Services (PDF) Christie, Dr Campbell, 2011 Scottish Executive A report seeking overarching reform of public services in Scotland through bottom-up governance and more collaborative working. UK
Galvanising Growth (PDF) Confederation of British Industry (CBI), 2010 This report calls on the UK Government to protect economic growth in its forthcoming spending review. As the state limits spending, it should prioritise areas that foster growth, the report finds. Its recommendations span reduced public sector capital investment, greater competition in public services delivery, improving procurement and addressing public sector pensions in public sector contracts. UK
From Social Security to Social Productivity: A Vision for 2020 Public Services (PDF) Commission on 2020 Public Services , 2010 2020 Public Services Trust
A report laying out a vision for public service reform over the next ten years based on bottom-up processes involving citizen engagement rather than central state redistribution. This is based on the commission's belief that deep shifts in culture, power and finance must take place to achieve an environment that promotes social productivity rather than the promotion of a social security safety net.
UKCommissioning for Personalisation (PDF) Catherine Needham, 2010 Chartered Institute of Public Finanace & Accountancy (CIPFA)
This report draws on interviews with politicians, civil servants, local authority managers, frontline staff, service users, trade union representatives, academics, consultants and staff from private and third sector providers. By examining both implementation and commissioning the report traces the significant growth in the personalisation agenda while assessing the potential for even greater mainstream adoption.
UKRoad To Recovery (PDF) Bosanquet, Professor Nick; Cawston, Thomas; Haldenby, Andrew; Nolan, Patrick; Parsons, Lucy and Truss, Elizabeth, 2009 Reform This report argues that UK infrastructure is in need of radical overhaul while acknowledging that fiscal tightness is an inevitable restriction over the next decade. It lays out a framework for future infrastructure projects along these lines, including a presumption for private rather than public finance; charges favoured over taxes; and economic policy prioritised over social or industrial policy. UK
Pre-Budget Report - Chapter 6: Improving Public Services (PDF) HM Treasury, 2008 This chapter from the 2008 Pre-Budget Report considers how to best maintain the Labour government's public services commitments, particularly in the context of the severe economic downturn in the latter half of 2008. UK
Infrastructure Procurement: Delivering Long-Term Value (PDF) HM Treasury, 2008 The Stationery Office A report which sets out the Government's strategy for securing value-for-money in major asset and long-term services provision. UK
Managing Financial Resources to Deliver Better Public Services (PDF) House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts, 2008 The Stationery Office A report which assesses the improvement and effectiveness of financial awareness and financial management skills across government. HC 519 UK
Building On Progress: Public Services (PDF) Prime Minister's Strategy Unit, 2007 This paper sets out the principles to continue improvements in public services over the following ten years. These include the need to open up the supply of public services to the best available providers from the private sector, which will help accomplish the aims of more choice and more personalised public services. UK
The Green Book: Appraisal and Evaluation in Central Government - Treasury Guidance (PDF)
HM Treasury, 2003
The Efficiency Programme: A Second Review of Progress (PDF) National Audit Office (NAO) , 2007 The Stationery Office Second progress report on achieving Gershon efficiency savings. Identifies that out of £13.3bn of reported gains £3.1bn may be substantially incorrect, although baselines have now been established throughout the project to improve measurement HC 156-I UK
Opinion Pieces on Improving Government Efficiency (PDF) National Audit Office (NAO), 2007 The Stationery Office Companion publication to NAO report above which includes essays by academics, policy makers and public service industry leaders on the key aspects of improving public sector efficiency. HC 156-II UK
Transforming Government Procurement (PDF) HM Treasury, 2007 The Stationery Office A policy paper which announces a new public procurement vision for the UK through reform of the Office of Government Commerce, Government Procurement Service and Major Projects Review Group. This is intended to improve innovation and value for money of public services while meeting wider challenges such as global competitiveness and sustainability commitments. ISBN-13: 978-1-84532-240-3 UK
Improving Delivery: Realising Best Practice in Procurement and Contract Management (PDF)
CBI, 2006
The Wellbeing of the Nation Perry, Baroness; Dorrell, Stephen, 2006 Public Service Improvement Policy Group A paper which sets out the core values which should shape policy in health, education, social housing and social care. These are: a new partnership with the professions, equitable access, localism, and a commitment to growth. UK
Releasing the Resources to Meet the Challenges Ahead: Value for Money in the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review (PDF) HM Treasury, 2006 The Stationery Office A policy paper which explores how further value for money savings will be released in the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review. UK
The UK Government's Approach to Public Service Reform - A Discussion Paper (PDF) The Prime Minister's Strategy Unit, 2006 Cabinet Office A discussion paper on public service reform which sets out the Government's preliminary ideasas well as outlining the main benefits and the risks involved. This paper shows the Government's intention to introduce market-oriented reforms which will include collaboration with the private sector though PFI and the commissioning of services. An emphasis is also placed on the need for a system of performance management through targets and regulation to provide the best quality in services which the private sector is more renowned for offering. UK
The UK Government's Approach to Public Service Reform (Pamphlet) (PDF) The Prime Minister's Strategy Unit, 2006 Cabinet Office A pamphlet which summarises the Government's approach to public servce reform, set out in more detail above. UK
PFI: Strengthening Long-term Partnerships (PDF) HM Treasury, 2006 The Stationery Office This report was released by the Treasury as part of the UK Budget 2006 documentation. It confirms a continuing role for the PFI in the delivery of modernised public services where it represents value for money, and sets out plans for the launch of a new PFI Operational Taskforce within Partnerships UK. ISBN-10:1-84532-137-5 UK
Report on Operational PFI Projects by Partnerships UK (PDF) Partnerships UK, 2006
A review of the performance of PFI projects during their operational phase, covering a wide range of operational issues impacting on all projects from all sectors that were known to be operational at the end of March 2005.
UKProgress in Improving Government Ffficiency - Volume I (PDF) National Audit Office (NAO), 2006 The Stationery Office A report on the progress made in the Government's efficiency programme. ISBN: 0102937087 / HC 802 UK
Progress in Improving Government Efficiency - Volume II (Lessons from Case Studies of Efficiency Initiatives) (PDF) National Audit Office (NAO), 2006 The Stationery Office Case studies of good practice from efficiency initiatives in public and private organisations. ISBN: 0102937087 / HC 802 UK
Public Private Partnerships in Scotland: Evaluation of Performance (PDF) Low, Caroline; Hulls, Daniel and Rennison, Alan, 2005 Cambridge Economic Policy Associates Ltd A report on the costs and benefits of Scottish PPPs and an assessment of the merits of centrally collecting performance information to inform future evaluations. UK
Public Policy: Using Market-Based Approaches (PDF) Hahn, Robert; Coombs, Justin; Kalmus, Ciara; Razo, Carlos; Curry, Katherine, 2005 Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Economics Paper no. 14 A paper which examines how competition and market forces can be used to improve the implementation of public policy. UK
Economic Survey of the United Kingdom 2005 (Web Page) Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), 2005 OECD Economic Surveys A report that includes recommendations that Britain's public services would benefit from more market-based reforms.
Regulation - Less is More: Reducing Burdens, Improving Outcomes (PDF)
Better Regulation Task Force (BRTF), 2005
The Politics of Public-Private Partnerships (PDF) Flinders, Matthew, 2004 Paper delivered to Democratic Network Governance Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark A paper which argues that PPPs may deliver efficiency gains and service improvments at high political and democratic costs. UK
Releasing Resources to the Frontline: Independent Review of Public Sector Efficiency (PDF) Gershon, Sir Peter, 2004
A review of public sector efficiency with recommendations on the scope for efficiencies identified in back office, procurement, transaction service and policy-making functions.
UKSpending Review 2004 - Stability, Security and Opportunity for All: Investing for Britain's Long-Term Future (Web Page) UK Treasury, 2004 This sets out the Government's departmental spending plans for 2005-8 and outlines how this will ensure better public services. UK
Assessing the Impact of Public Sector procurement on Competition: Volume 1: Main Report (PDF) Office of Fair Trading (OFT), 2004 An economic analysis of when and how public sector procurement might affect competition. UK
Assessing the Impact of Public Sector Procurement on Competition: Volume 2: Case Studies (PDF) Office of fair Trading (OFT), 2004 Analysis of public procurement in five different markets and the competition issues surrounding this. The markets covered are: broadband services, continence care products, IT services, prison services and waste management. OFT742c UK
Delivering Public Services to a Diverse Society (Volume 1: Main Report) (PDF) National Audit Office (NAO) , 2004 The Stationery Office Looks accross Whitehall at the way in which departments are taking steps to tailor public services to diverse groups. HC 19-I UK
Delivering Public Services to a Diverse Society (Volume 2: Case Studies) (PDF)
National Audit Office (NAO), 2004
Improving Procurement: Progress by the Office of Government Commerce in Improving Departments' Capability to Procure Cost-Effectively (Volume1 - Main Report) (PDF) National Audit Office (NAO), 2004 An assessment of the introduction of the Office of Government Commerce (OGC). HC 361-I UK
Improving Procurement: Progress by the Office of Government Commerce in Improving Departments' Capability to Procure Cost-Effectively (Volume 2 - Case Studies) (PDF)
National Audit Office (NAO), 2004
PFI: Meeting the Investment Challenge (PDF)
HM Treasury, 2003
This report offers guidance on the use of the PFI, project performance and operational and policy issues. It contains chapters on performance monitoring, payment mechanisms and other relevant areas such as flexibility.
Public Services: Meeting the Productivity Challenge (PDF) HM Treasury, 2003 A discussion document released in association with the Government's 2003 Budget Report. It sets out a four-point framework for increasing the productivity of public services: clear long-term goals and expression of desired outcomes; greater discretion for public service providers with effective governance structures; improved information about performance; and better incentives for service providers to meet users' needs. UK
Competition and Efficiency in Publicly Funded Services (PDF)
Lundsgaard, Jens, 2002
Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development (OECD)
This paper reviews the extent to which OECD countries have opened the provision of publicly funded
Review of Large Public Procurement in the UK (PDF)
Mott MacDonald, 2002
Increasing Competition and Improving Long-Term Capacity Planning in the Government Market Place (PDF) Kelly, Sir Christopher, 2003 Office of Government (OGC) This report was commissioned by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to consider what further steps could be taken to increase competition and encourage better long-term capacity planning in markets where the Government has significant purchasing power. It provides a set of recommendations aimed at securing improvements in these areas for the benefit of citizens and business alike. UK
'Making a Difference' Reducing Bureaucracy in Central Civil Government Procurement Public Sector Team, Regulatory Impact Unit, 2003 Cabinet Office A report which looks at practical ways of reducing bureaucracy and therefore costs in central government procurement so as to achieve better delivery. UK
Delivering Better Public Services: PPPs as a means to an end
Smith, Andrew, MP, 2000
New Economy, Vol 7, Issue 3
White Paper Modernising Government (Web Page)
Her Majesty's Treasury, 1999
The Stationery Office