Over the past five years we have seen a growing understanding of, and emphasis on working with, the voluntary sector across government. Partnership working has become the norm—in intent, if not always in practice. Policy initiatives which are expected to impact on people in the voluntary sector are increasingly developed in consultation with the sector. And the 1998 Compact has embedded the notion of the sector in government policy. But where is the UK going with public service delivery?
It is possible that in ten years’ time the scenario for the voluntary sector in the UK could be as follows:
More voluntary organizations delivering more services under contract to national, regional and local government—extended to all areas of public service delivery, for example probation services, transport infrastructure and social work.
Hospitals and schools running independently of central control and operating as public interest companies, run as not-for-profit organizations with similar governance structures to traditional charities.
Voluntary organizations having their performance measured, inspected and compared by a government-appointed regulator.
Voluntary organizations no longer having to subsidise government
This Report is based on a presentation by Stuart Etherington at a Public Management and Policy Association evening lecture held in London on 22 October 2002.
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