Almost two-thirds (64%) of public sector workers expect the quality of public services to get worse over the next few years, more than three times as many as those who expect things to improve (17%), according to exclusive research carried out by the team behind the Public Sector Show.
Finance and resources are the biggest challenge identified by public sector workers, with 71% of over 700 respondents identifying this as a pressing concern, compared to 59% who cited Brexit and 38% citing staff shortages.
Meanwhile, with the UK’s population predicted to increase by 3.6 million in the next 10 years1, more than half (54%) of respondents expect it to get harder for the sector to provide value for money.
How can this be addressed?
Helping public servants cope with the ever-increasing resource challenge is one of the key themes of this year’s Public Sector Show, the UK’s must-attend event for those leading, delivering and managing the nation’s core public services.
The show’s “Finance and Corporate” stream will be chaired by Paul O’Brien, Chief Executive of the Association for Public Service Excellence, the networking community that assists local authorities striving to improve frontline services.
Sessions will explore how austerity has impelled public sector organisations to find new ways to secure value for money: Alyson Brett, Managing Director of NHS Commercial Solutions and Fiona Fletcher-Smith, Executive Director of Development, Enterprise and Environment at the Greater London Authority, will feature on a panel discussing how developing a more commercially-focused mindset can help the public sector secure greater efficiency gains.
What other issues need to be tackled?
Meanwhile, with nearly twice as many (49%) public sector workers agreeing that the public sector benefits from the skills and expertise the private sector is able to provide than disagreeing (26%), collaboration within and between sectors features heavily on this year’s agenda.
Dwayne Branch, Head of Business Investments for the London Borough of Newham and Guy Battle, Chief Executive of the Social Value Portal, will feature on a panel exploring how public servants are partnering with business to achieve positive policy outcomes.
What else is happening at the event?
Other leading speakers at this year’s show include Robert Jenrick MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury; Mike Driver, Chief Financial Officer, Ministry of Justice and Head of the Government Finance Function; Lesley Hume, Chief Operating Officer at the Cabinet Office and Chris Grayling MP, Secretary of State for Transport.
More than 150 exhibitors, including CIPFA, the Crown Commercial Service and KPMG will showcase products and solutions that can support the public sector in delivering the services the UK relies on.
The Public Sector Show takes place at ExCel London on Tuesday 26th January and is FREE to attend for public sector employees. Its sister event takes place in Manchester on 20th November. Find out more and register here.
- ONS, National Population Projections: 2016-based statistical bulletin, October 2017
