John Seddon reflects on how a systems thinking method has improved public services but is now under threat from cuts, commissioning and ‘big society’ as the government fails to move beyond central control and large-scale initiatives.
David Cameron described the ‘big society’ as a ‘culture change’, where people are free and powerful enough to help … Continue reading
Andy Benson spots fake sincerity and voluntary sector window dressing in the Open Public Services White Paper
Having just read the government’s White Paper ‘Open Public Services’ I am reminded of two maxims. The first – ‘above all else people value sincerity; if you can fake that you’ve got it made’. This document is full … Continue reading
Our new paper has evidence about the dangers of commissioning, localism and ‘big society’, all part of the government’s privatisation agenda.
• Public service cuts are a political choice, not an inevitability.
• Creating competitive markets in the voluntary sector through commissioning damages services, users and staff and threatens independence.
• ‘Localism’ and ‘big society’ … Continue reading
Read our two new papers if you want to get thinking about what privatisation means for charities and community groups and how the ‘big society’ and localism damage independent action.
Big market: how localism and the ‘big society’ damage independent voluntary action (2011) PDF, 4 pages
Voluntary action under threat: what privatisation means for charities … Continue reading
Manchester group The Art Corner are organising a funeral procession for the loss of our public services, to take place on the day of the royal wedding (29th April). They will have five coffins decorated with wreaths spelling out NHS, Education, Immigration, The Arts and Welfare. Participants will dress in black and march solemnly down … Continue reading
NCIA urges eveyone who wants to protect the welfare state and close the gap between haves and have nots to make your way to London this Saturday. There’s some sensible advice about how to get there, at what time, and what to bring (food, water, waterproofs) on the march for the alternative website. Read on … Continue reading
‘Big society’ is a bust, local authorities have problems of their own and economic recovery is unlikely any time soon, writes Andrew Climo, CEO of Community Leaders. His advice for people who work in the community sector? Question partnerships with the statutory sector, only do projects with profound community benefits, lobby for what your community … Continue reading
Read the summary of our new paper on privatisation, including the related topics of cuts, localism and the ‘big society’. This is just the start of setting out our views. Please let us know what you think and help us spark a proper debate about cuts, commissioning, competition and how to protect independent action … Continue reading
So equality isn’t just a wonder word – it has a legal meaning that the courts are willing to uphold. NCIA member Kevin Blowe reports on a court win for Roma Support Group that has made London Councils re-run the process for deciding about funding cuts because they didn’t do equality impact assessments. Read more … Continue reading
What words of wisdom would you give a new wave of activists who have started to fight cuts across the UK?
NCIA was invited to help with one of the workshops at the Netroots conference in London on 8 January 2010. Around 35 people came to the session on countering the cuts in your area. … Continue reading