New KPMG research shows that the majority of UK public sector executives think lack of funding is the top challenge to delivering infrastructure projects. Apart from funding, a striking 74% believe that government ineffectiveness is one of the major barriers to delivering much needed infrastructure improvements.
Some may be surprised by that figure, but I am not. As we all know, the public sector is not one homogenous mass. Almost every public official I have ever worked with (and I was one myself) is striving to get things done. It’s just that sometimes other public bodies and other officials get in the way.
The public sector is a system of layers and checks and balances – local authorities versus central departments, central departments vs Treasury, Treasury vs No 10, policy team vs central finance – you get the picture. Sometimes so many opposing interests make for good considered government. But it can get very frustrating if you want to do get things done quickly.
Like investing in infrastructure to help stimulate an economy. The dense mat of approval layers and processes and consultations does not make it easy to get money committed fast on the ground. There is a clear opportunity here for whoever forms the next government to make some changes.
The checks and balances are important but there needs to be incentives as well for different public bodies to co-operate to get things done. If on the ground delivery were a key measure of success for all public officials, not just those on the front line, imagine what a difference it would make.
Richard Threlfall is UK head of infrastructure and projects at KPMG
