Jones to launch drive for more efficient public services
AN attempt to run public services more efficiently and avoid "crude cuts" will be launched by First Minister Carwyn Jones today.
He will say the NHS, education and social services face a period of growing financial pressure, as well as the impact of the recession and an ageing population.
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Jones to launch drive for more efficient public services, including in the NHS
In a speech billed as calling for a "new deal" for services, Mr Jones will point to examples of good practice in the public sector.
But he will tell a public services summit in Cardiff, the first of its kind, that Wales needs much greater efficiency across the board.
"If we are to avoid financial pressures turning into crude service cuts, we have to accelerate the pace of change dramatically," he will say.
According to advance lines from his speech, Mr Jones will announce the creation of an all-Wales Efficiency and Innovation Programme to ensure the best use of public money.
It will be overseen by a board chaired by Budget Minister Jane Hutt and monitored by the summit.
Ministers in the Labour-Plaid Cymru coalition are braced for a spending squeeze to weigh down on the Assembly Government's finances.
The administration's budget doubled to around £15 billion during the first decade of devolution.
Mr Jones will say: "We are aiming to work with our partners in developing a menu of the good practice and systems already up and running – and then mainstreaming these ideas across the public sector.
"The potential is great – for example, every one per cent efficiency gain in Wales's public sector procurement budget could save us up to £50 million a year, and front-line services need that money.
"Devolution has equipped Wales with a government of its own which is ready to work with its partners in facing the challenge to our public services.
"We have already pioneered unique policies, such as free prescriptions, free hospital parking and the highly successful concessionary travel scheme, and we are determined to respond to this current challenge in a positive, Welsh way - in line with our country's tradition of 'chwarae teg', fair play."
3 Comments
by Paul Jones, Swansea
Friday, February 26 2010, 6:06PM
“An immedeate saving to made in the NHS, we don`t need executive and non executive directors in any hospital. This along with numerous senior executive posts, could be taken out easily, the tories created the monstor of the NHS Trust, for no logical reason.”
by CE, Swansea
Friday, February 26 2010, 4:49PM
“Well centralisation of all services will be what happens. WAG are already looking at centralising all payroll for public sector workers, they are laso looking at following Englands example and centralising student finance. All you need do is look at the debarcle that happened last year. Surely each Minister is reponsible for their own budget when should Jane Hutt hold that hands of other Ministers, cant they be trusted to run their departments!”
by ATTEN HUTT, Openness aaaaaaaaaaand Tranparrency
Friday, February 26 2010, 11:28AM
“The whole culture of Welsh Administration needs a total shot in the arm..
Simple things like actually accepting that the PUBLIC DOES HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW..
The Public pay and earn their wages..to be Cabinet members in the first place..
Just look at the Open and Tranpsarent administration in Swansea as an example..”