Public service reforms ‘inconsistent’

An analysis of the performance of major Whitehall departments and their ministers revealed a mixed picture, according to the centre-Right think-tank. It found that effective public service reforms were being driven through with coherent and persuasive ministerial backing. Departments that were absent from the debate, such as the Treasury, compromised or allowed themselves to become distracted were much less successful.

Reform’s call came as pressure stepped up on Health Secretary Andrew Lansley and his troubled Health and Social Care Bill. The ConservativeHome website revealed that three Tory Cabinet members wanted the Bill to be scrapped or for Lansley to step aside. In particular, the health secretary is criticised for being unable to communicate the reforms ‘in a streetwise way’.

The Department of Health was one of the Whitehall departments Reform said was ‘going backwards’. It said the original health reforms were flawed and the subsequent concessions and retreats had only made them worse.

Reform added that reform in the NHS had stalled even though its budget had been protected. The result, it claimed, was that services had begun to deteriorate, with waiting times increasing and some services being withdrawn.

The Treasury was criticised for agreeing to ring-fence NHS and school budgets. This had ‘put a handbrake on reform and efficiency in those sectors’. Reform said the department had been absent from the debate on public service reform when it should be driving it.

But there was praise for Kenneth Clarke at the Ministry of Justice and his prison reforms. Reform said these presented ‘the best arguments for competition’ of all departments.

Former defence secretary Liam Fox was hailed for his support of radical civil service reform and Home Secretary Theresa May singled out for her policing changes, which Reform said presented a ‘consistent package’ that was ‘driving better performance within tighter budgets’.

Reform director Andrew Haldenby said: ‘Radical reform is working where the government is consistent and unflinching.

‘It has failed where the government has been indecisive or has compromised in the face of its critics. The great success of police reform has to be repeated across the public sector, especially the NHS.’

Among the report’s recommendations are a re-opening of the Comprehensive Spending Review for the NHS, schools and other areas where budgets have been protected. Reform also wants the entire public service reform agenda to be ‘rebooted’ so it is based on principles of accountability to the user and flexible provision.

It says the contribution that can be made by large, profit-making providers should be considered alongside those offered by smaller enterprises and mutuals.

Reform’s Whitehall rankings:

Real reform

Defence

Home Office

Justice

Coasting

Cabinet Office

Education

Local Government

Work and Pensions

Going backwards

Health

Higher education

Treasury