Chris Grayling and the UK Space Agency are to join the high-profile line up at June’s Public Sector Show 2018, held in London, UK, which Government Europa will be attending.
Public spending in the UK is set to exceed £3 trillion* (€3.4 tr) over the next four years – the length of the current parliament – in the transport, health, education and defence arenas, according to the organisers of the Public Sector Show 2018.
This year’s must-attend UK public sector event will see prominent figures from across government departments, local government and professional bodies discuss how to drive efficiencies, while delivering improved services for the taxpayer.
Providing the latest policy briefings and insights, pioneering best practice case studies, and in-depth interviews, the event will give attendees an opportunity to join and interact with some of the most influential figures in the public sector on its most pressing issues.
In the run-up to the event, organisers have launched the second “State of the Public Sector” report, exclusive research carried out with over 700 professionals working in central and local government. The report provides an exclusive look at the challenges facing those tasked with delivering, leading and managing the UK’s core public services, including Brexit, finances, technology, automation, recruitment and the workforce.
The state of the public sector
Finance and resources topped the list of respondents’ concerns, with a huge majority citing this as a key challenge as public servants are faced with the challenge of delivering more, with less, at both a local and national level.
With the UK’s departure from the EU looming ever closer, it is no surprise that Brexit is also on people’s minds, with three-fifths of professionals naming this as a challenge. While it is still too early to pinpoint the specific impacts of Brexit on the public sector and how it can best adapt, many public sector bodies know they need to plan now to be able to ride the wave of the challenges ahead.
One thing that can be said with certainty is that the coming months and years will be crucial to ensuring the public sector workforce is fit for the future, something recognised by a majority (54%) of respondents, who expect the challenge of building a workforce with the right experience and skills to become harder – and Brexit is not the only factor here.
The rise of digital technology and automation may present an opportunity for the public sector to “work smarter” in delivering the services we all rely on, but this could be something of a double-edged sword, with a majority (64%) of public servants predicting job losses as a result of technology.
Public Sector Show 2018: insight from the speakers
“From moving more services online through to using chatbots and creating more advanced analytical tools, technology will create different and more efficient ways of working. However, the sector must engage its people in any change, ensuring they have a voice and to gain better insights into future skills and opportunities that could deliver even better public services.” – Peter Cheese, chief executive, CIPD.
“The NHS and local authorities are facing many challenges linked to the fact that we’re all living longer, but new technologies including AI could help take some of the strain out of the system. Worryingly, there’s a growing trend for people to ‘DIY diagnose’ using Google. The technology of the future could stop that by providing people with access to an app that triages them around the health system based on an initial diagnosis.” – Alyson Brett, managing director, NHS Commercial Solutions.
When it comes to the changes taking place at a local level, the jury appears to be out. When asked about high-profile devolution or structural changes that have taken place over the past few years – including Regional Development Agencies, Police and Crime Commissioners, Metro Mayors and the Northern Powerhouse – a significant number of respondents were either unable to say whether these had had a positive effect on public services, or thought it was too early to tell.
Many of the insights gained from the poll have been used to develop the agenda for the Public Sector Show 2018, helping those involved in delivering public services learn, procure and deliver world-class services to the public.
The Public Sector Show 2018
Bringing together an exceptional line-up of over 140 leading speakers, including:
- Chris Grayling MP, the Secretary of State for Transport;
- Sir Amyas Morse, auditor and comptroller-general, National Audit Office;
- Jacky Wright, chief digital information officer, HMRC;
- Michelle Dix, managing director, Crossrail 2; and
- Sue Owen, permanent secretary, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Sessions will focus on the challenges and opportunities facing the public sector across four key themes: digital and technology; finance and corporate; estates and infrastructure; and workforce and leadership.
A case study for best practice
Visitors to the show will also be able to access a range of best practice case studies and policy recommendations from colleagues across the sector.
The Braunstone Blues project in Leicestershire outlines how Blue Light Services (police, fire and rescue and ambulance) can work together to benefit their local area. The pilot study also shows how data sharing was identified as a barrier to collaboration and, with the support of the Centre of Excellence for Information Sharing, what strategies were implemented to find solutions and keep the programme on track.
Similarly, Derby City Council is an example of how individual organisations across the sector can realise significant cost savings through smart collaboration. A pair of state-of-the art high-security facilities in southern England are helping to transform the way the public sector stores its data safely and efficiently.
In addition, more than 150 exhibitors including the UK Space Agency, Airbus Defence & Space, Toshiba and The Open University will showcase a wide range of innovative services and solutions, designed to help the public sector save money and improve performance.
“We are delighted to be welcoming an exceptional line-up of speakers and exhibitors to this year’s show. It really is the place to be if you want to discuss specific challenges, share knowledge and try out for yourself the vast array of innovative products and services designed to help deliver better public services”, said Portfolio Director Corby Ganesh, The Public Sector Show.
A call for public sector attendance
The Public Sector Show 2018 takes place at ExCeL London on 26th June 2018. Registration is free for those working in the public sector. Its sister event will be held in Manchester on 20th November 2018. For more information go to https://psshow.co.uk.
The State of the Public Sector 2018 report can be downloaded at: https://psshow.co.uk/?utm_source=governmenteuropa&utm_medium=mediapartner&utm_campaign=governmenteuropa
*A cumulative figure based on total UK public spending for 2018 which is budgeted at £814bn according to analysis by http://www.ukpublicspending.co.uk. The figure does not allow for factors such as rises in inflation or changes in population size.
Public Sector Show 2018
http://psshow.co.uk/state-public-sector-2018/
