Tough times ahead, but it is going to be toughest for those who rely on crucial public services for their safety and for their quality of life. In many respects this is all of us, but this is most of all a sharp-end issue for families in difficulty, children who need care and protection, and for disabled adults and older people where public services and state funding are crucial to their support and assistance.
And there should be a real anger about what is happening. The rich and powerful have got us into this mess with their crazy senseless self-interested money making schemes, but they have used their still largely old boy networks and control of the media to turn the focus on public services and public sector workers. This is the privileged using position and power to define reality, a reality which protects their interests and rubbishes others.
And they certainly are privileged. Fifty four percent of Conservative MPs went to fee-paying independent schools and so did 40% of Liberal Democrat MPs (it is 15% for Labour MPs). And the proportion of MPs who had been employed in financial services (yes, those who got us into this economic crisis) increased at the May election from 5% to 10%!
Yet the story is of badly managed, poorly motivated, self-interested and protectionist public services where effectiveness will be driven by externally imposed economies and efficiencies. No recognition here of the public sector ethos of service to the community and a strong concern for probity and equity. No recognition that public services are a demonstrable contribution to how the state cares for all its citizens. And no acknowledgement that the public sector has itself been driving change, improvement and greater efficiency year-on-year.
The rehashed story line about public sector waste and laziness compared to private sector entrepreneurship, efficiency and drive is being used to prepare the ground for this week’s budget. The Right-wing Reform think tank is calling for the national financial deficit to be tackled through a package made up of 87% of public expenditure cuts and only 13% through tax rises. This probably will not be far of the mark.
And within the public expenditure cuts local government will bear a disproportionate burden. The Etonian and Westminster School-led coalition government will then distance itself from the painful decisions made locally. Taking the ring-fence off a number of central government grants to local councils is no doubt a part of the game plan to present what the coalition government describes as giving opportunity and discretion to local councils to make decisions (but with no local discretion to raise more through council tax). It keeps the government clear of the flack about local cuts.
And local government itself may play the same game. Those most in need of assistance in our communities are often the most vulnerable, marginalised and powerless. They make fewer demands on councillors than constituents shouting about road maintenance and rowdiness. Will councillors just pass on the pain to children and families already in difficulty and may be danger, and ration even more assistance to disabled and older people whilst charging them more for reduced services? Or will local councils stand out against what is happening nationally with the vocal rich and powerful looking after themselves and deserting others. Now is the time for local government and the public sector to make its voice heard and to stand up and be counted.
Professor Ray Jones is professor of social work at Kingston University and St. George’s, University of London. He was previously director of social services in Wiltshire
