24 September 2004
The public thinks more choice in public services is important. But the majority of people are not willing to pay more to get it, and they consider that it is needed in some services more than others.
These are some of the key findings from an Audit Commission report on choice in public services, based on a new survey from pollsters Mori.
The report, which focused on local government services, showed that some of the worst-off people in the country (social classes D and E) are the keenest on choice. Respondents from the North and the Midlands were also most likely to rate it in their services as 'absolutely essential', and women were more concerned about it than men.
Education for special needs children and home care for the elderly were among the services where it was considered most important.
But more than half of respondents said taxpayers should not have to pay more for increased public service choice. 'More choice and higher taxes to pay for it just don't go together,' said the report's author, Audit Commission health director Andy McKeon.
Increasing public service choice and responsiveness is vital, said Audit Commission chair James Strachan. 'But the challenge is to ensure that we do this in a cost-effective and fair way. We need to broaden this debate beyond widespread provider choice, which may be very expensive and at times unfair,' he added.
The report is part of a longer-term study into value for money and choice, due to be published by the commission next year.
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