Transforming or Revitalising Public Service

by Dave Watson

Tom McCabe, the Minister for Finance and Public Services, has published his long awaited "think-piece" on the future of public services in Scotland entitled Transforming Public Services - The Next Phase of Reform.

UNISON outlined its own principles for the future of Scotland's public services in May - Democracy, Investment, Fairness, Excellence and Partnership and so UNISON welcomes this debate.

Scotland has been successfully delivering its own model of public services and this paper should stimulate debate on how this model can be developed based on collaboration and co-operation.

Tom McCabe's vision is for Scotland to have public services "amongst the most successful, effective and innovative in the world". He would like to see public services underpinned by the values of promoting social justice and building for the future.

The following are the principles he believes will support these values:

• User focused and personalised
• Drive up quality and encourage innovation
• Improve efficiency and productivity
• Join up services and minimise separation
• Strengthen accountability

The full paper is at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications and P&I Briefing 139 on the UNISON Scotland website summarises the document. This is obviously a very important document for most of our members and branches are encouraged to debate the issues. A slide presentation and other education materials will be sent to branches to support this debate.

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