Outsourcing in the UK: Policies, Practices and Outcomes

The use of outsourcing in the UK public sector since the mid-1970s is examined in Janice Morphet's book, including its drivers, private sector response, and impact on ideology, policy narratives, and public expectations.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 258 pages
\n Publication date: 15 April 2021
\n Publisher: Bristol University Press
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Since the mid-1970s, Janice Morphet has examined the role and use of outsourcing within the UK public sector in this comprehensive account. Morphet looks at the various factors that have driven the use of outsourcing in the public sector, such as international agreements, new public management, performance, and austerity. She also considers the role and failures of the private sector and its response to the opening up of public sector competition. By investigating the way that outsourcing has been used in different service sectors and across scales, the book illustrates the impact it has had on ideology, policy narratives, and public expectations in the present.

Morphet begins her analysis by examining the historical context of outsourcing in the UK public sector. She notes that the use of outsourcing has grown in popularity since the 1980s, as a result of the Conservative government's policy of privatization and deregulation. However, Morphet argues that outsourcing has not always been successful in the public sector, and has often been driven by short-term cost savings rather than long-term strategic objectives.

One of the key drivers of outsourcing in the public sector has been international agreements. Morphet argues that the UK has been heavily influenced by the European Union's procurement rules, which require public sector organizations to open up their markets to competition. This has led to the outsourcing of many public services, such as healthcare and education, to private companies.

Another driver of outsourcing has been new public management. Morphet argues that the introduction of new public management principles in the 1980s has led to a focus on efficiency and cost-cutting in the public sector. This has led to the outsourcing of non-core services, such as cleaning and catering, to private companies.

Performance and austerity have also been key drivers of outsourcing in the public sector. Morphet argues that the pressure to improve performance and reduce costs has led to the outsourcing of many public services, such as social care and waste management, to private companies.

However, Morphet also notes that outsourcing has not always been successful in the public sector. She argues that private companies are often motivated by profit rather than public service, and can be reluctant to invest in infrastructure and training. This can lead to poor quality services and a lack of accountability.

Morphet also considers the role and failures of the private sector in responding to the opening up of public sector competition. She argues that the private sector has been slow to adapt to the new market conditions, and has often been unable to provide the same level of quality and accountability as public sector organizations. This has led to a growing dissatisfaction with outsourcing in the public sector.

In conclusion, Janice Morphet's book provides a comprehensive account of the role and use of outsourcing within the UK public sector since the mid-1970s. She examines the various drivers for the use of outsourcing, including international agreements, new public management, performance, and austerity. Morphet also takes in to account the role and failures of the private sector and its response to the opening up of public sector competition. By investigating the way, the book illustrates the impact it has had on ideology, policy narratives, and public expectations in the present.

\n Weight: 556g\n
Dimension: 161 x 241 x 22 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781529209600\n \n