Prosper Response: Public Service Reform

Responding to the publication today by the Scottish Government of its plans for Public Service Reform, Sara Thiam, Chief Executive, Prosper said:

“Our forthcoming Blueprint for the Scottish economy will say that modernising and investing in the public services are two sides of the same coin given rising inflationary pressures and demand created by Scotland’s ageing population.

“Our members want greater certainty about the money available to public services over coming years so they can invest in longer term improvements and preventative spend programmes. How the proposed Invest to Save element of the programme is enhanced and ringfenced may enable success where previous preventative programmes have failed.

“The UK Government’s Spending Review has set out the spending envelope for the next three years and we call for the Scottish Government to commit to multi-year budgets for public services in Scotland at the earliest opportunity.

“Transforming service delivery will also be key through new partnership models, a digital-first approach and greater powers for regional partners in a range of models that go beyond Regional Economic Partnerships to join-up services. Social enterprises, charities and businesses are already delivering public services across Scotland, and changes in the procurement of services should expand these models, encourage innovation and create wider community benefits.

Sara Thiam added:

“If we do all of these and prioritise actions will unlock growth, investment and jobs, we have the opportunity to achieve both economic prosperity and higher living standards, and the high-quality public services we all want.