William Eichler 28 March 2019

Think tank warns against banning outsourcing

A think tank has called for a review of the regulations governing outsourcing, but stressed it opposed the idea of banning the controversial practice.

The Government currently spends £284bn annually buying services from the third and private sectors, which is a third of its budget.

This practice has, however, come under fire in the wake of high-profile scandals such as the Carillion collapse.

A new report from the think tank Reform has urged Whitehall not to ban the practice.

Instead, it recommends providing more training for civil servants who are tasked with dealing with private companies and charities.

In particular, it calls for extra funding to bolster training for local government and a new online training platform.

The think tank also believes that the Government should select contracts based on their wider social benefits, known as ‘social value’, such as boosting local employment.

It argues that the Government should review outsourcing rules to ensure social value is better considered in deciding contracts and improve transparency.

It also calls for ‘better data and guidance’ to allow service providers to quantify and compare the potential social value of different contracts.

Dr Joshua Pritchard, report co-author, said: ‘The way Government buys services can be improved but banning outsourcing would be throwing the baby out with the bath water.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recuriter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recuriter: Hull City Council

Strategic Director, Finance and Resources (S.151 Officer)

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
£110,799 - £120,706
Blackburn with Darwen is a distinctive, welcoming and vibrant borough with a strong identity and a genuine buzz about the place. Blackburn, Lancashire
Recuriter: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Residential Worker, Edge of Care Service

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 PAY AWARD PENDING
Join a Groundbreaking Team Supporting Families in Seaham Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Bikeability Cycling Instructor

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £24,790 to £25,992 pro rata (Pay Award Pending)
The Road Safety Team are keen to recruit additional Casual Bikability Instructors to join our team of instructors delivering Bikeability cycle trainin Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner