Why is this National Indicator important?
The Government is committed to improving the quality of public services and the productivity of the public sector in Scotland by reducing waste and duplication. By operating more efficiently, public bodies can release cash and other resources (such as staff time and buildings) which can be ploughed back into delivering better services. Our target of increasing 2% cash-releasing efficiency savings will deliver £1.6bn of efficiency gains in 2010-11.
What will influence this National Indicator?
Each public body in Scotland can, and should, continually look for ways in which they can work more efficiently and effectively. The Government believes that all public bodies, even those that are already working in an efficient way, can work more efficiently still. Action to improve efficiency includes: focusing staff time on activities which make a positive difference to people's lives; getting better value from purchases through improved public procurement arrangements; and managing buildings and other assets more effectively.
What is the Government's role?
The Scottish Government recognises the duty upon us to operate in an efficient way. The Government has a role in fostering a culture and behaviours within public bodies which help them to focus on their key purpose of delivering high quality services which improve lives for people in Scotland and which also value efficient ways of working. We can take steps to reduce the burdens on public bodies. A good example of this is our work on reducing the demands of inspection on public bodies in a way which ensures that the quality of services are maintained or improved. We can also encourage bodies to achieve efficiencies together, for instance by sharing services and working together to achieve better outcomes for people in Scotland.
More fundamentally, the Government can take action to ensure that public services as a whole operate as efficiently as possible. This Government is committed to simplifying public services in Scotland. We are reducing the 199 national public service organisations by at least 25%, stopping activity that no longer contributes to the public purpose and bringing together bodies that fulfil similar purposes.
How are we performing?
There is currently no trend data available for this indicator as the 2% per annum increasing cash releasing target covers each of the years 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11 and previous efficiency measures are not directly comparable. A baseline has been established using the 2007/08 DEL budget which will mean cash-saving targets of £534 million in year one, £1,068 million in year two and £1,603 million in year three of the programme. Details of how the proposed savings will be made were published on 15th April 2008. Performance will be measured annually against this target, with the first report available in Autumn 2009.
Methodology
For more information see 2007 Spending Review Technical Note
For information on general methodological approach, please click here.
Who are our supporting delivery partners?
All bodies providing public services
Related Strategic Objectives
Wealthier and Fairer