Public services
We examine the performance of public services and make proposals about how they can improve.
Performance Tracker 2023
Our flagship report assesses the comparative, and in many cases interconnected, problems faced by critical public services such as the NHS, schools and the police.
DownloadPublic sector workforce
Pay review bodies
Pay review bodies are independent panels that gather evidence and then provide government with advice each year on pay for many public sector workers.
Rishi Sunak’s public sector pay offer makes sense but is unlikely to stop the strikes
The government appears to have made a breakthrough in ongoing public sector pay disputes, but big questions remain over where the money will be found.
Capital investment
See allForcing the NHS to reallocate capital spending is a false economy
The Sunak government is still choosing short-term fixes over long-term solutions.
Why does the UK underinvest in public service infrastructure – and how can the problem be fixed?
Lord O'Donnell, former Cabinet Secretary, joined us to discuss why the UK has set relatively low capital budgets.
The NHS productivity puzzle
The NHS crisis will only be solved with capital investment, increasing management capacity and staff retention – not just more doctors and nurses.
Explore by public service
Health and care
Our research assesses the performance of health and care services and how to improve them.
Criminal justice
Our research assesses the performance of criminal justice services and how to improve them.
Schools
Our research assesses the performance of education services and how to improve them.
Local government
Our research assesses the performance of local government services and how to improve them.
Improving public services
'Austerity' in public services: lessons from the 2010s
Jeremy Hunt is right to delay his fiscal statement – but should not rush into a new austerity programme.
Outcome delivery plans
Keeping outcome delivery plans will help Liz Truss achieve her government's goals.
Using targets to improve public services
Government targets in public services may do more harm than good.
Recent events
How can public sector strikes be solved more effectively?
Mike Clancy, Baroness Finn and Kate Nowicki joined us to explore the impact of recent industrial disputes on public service performance.
How can government tackle fraud?
Rt Hon Emily Thornberry MP and Scam Interceptors' Nick Stapleton joined us to discuss what government can do to increase detection and prosecution.
Productivity Pitches #2: criminal justice and law enforcement
The second of our Productivity Pitches, a new event series organised jointly with The Productivity Institute.
Our public services team
Nick Davies
Programme Director
Jeremy Hunt’s spring budget 2024 did little to address long-term problems in public services
Stuart Hoddinott
Senior Researcher
Five things we learned from the spring budget 2024
Thomas Pope
Deputy Chief Economist
Five things we learned from the spring budget 2024
Philip Nye
Data Scientist