Finance Minister to set out Scottish Government vision for public service reform to Reform Scotland

Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee will highlight the need to be bold, and the importance of reform to delivering the government's priority of improving public services to an audience assembled by the Reform Scotland think-tank.

The Minister will say:

“Improving Scotland's public services is a key priority for this government, and that means being open to change, to acknowledging that we can deliver services more efficiently and effectively. Only by being bold and embracing the need for change can we ensure the people of Scotland get the high-quality services they need and deserve, now and in the future.

“We are making real progress in reforming our public sector, but we know there is more to do. Partnership and collaborative working with local government, public bodies, and the third and private sectors is crucial to delivering our ambitions.

“But fundamentally, we believe that publicly owned and accountable services are a good thing – and people matter in helping to improve public services, like the NHS.  We intend to lead our own agenda, not follow others'.  And while leadership from the Scottish Government matters, Scotland's public services also need leaders who are willing to try and try again, while recognising that however good we are, we can always get better. As a government we will trust in organisations and communities to deliver reform. I want people to be bold and innovative right across the public sector.”