Delivering Public Services in the United Kingdom in a Period of Austerity

Abstract

Local government in the UK is undergoing major changes with a potential new renaissance in its relationship with central government. The Localism Act 2011 gives local authorities greater autonomy in the delivery of public services while retaining tight financial controls. Local government delivers many public services across a wide range of activities from refuse collection and social services including elderly care. Public services remain subject to contracting out and this may lead to a reduction in local authority participation. There are often contradictory strategies; decentralisation with increasing delegation is intertwined with tough financial controls. Local authorities are increasingly being made to find their own resources.