In discussion of the chancellor’s need to raise taxes and cut spending, there has been too little focus on making better use of current resources. Every day, money is wasted because fragmented public services continue to work in silos and are not organised around the needs of individuals, families and communities. Too little is spent on preventing problems and too much on responding to them.
As ministers and officials, we promoted Total Place pilots in 2009-10. They showed that far better outcomes could be achieved for the same money when Whitehall allowed local service leaders to work with local communities across service and budget boundaries. Place-based budgets should once again be put at the centre of public service reform.
Michael Bichard Former permanent secretary, Department for Education
John Denham Secretary of state for communities and local government 2009-10
Liam Byrne MP Chief secretary to the Treasury 2009-10
Helen Bailey Director of public service, HM Treasury 2008-11
