Spending

[wellinghall]

Sevel of my FList have said that they think the government spends too much, or that they spend too much on the wrong things. (I am paraphrasing here, but I don't think I've twisted anyone's words out of all recognition. So - what would you like them to cut spending on? Saying "waste" or "bureaucracy" seems a bit of a cop-out, but you can say "no new NHS computer system", or even just "the NHS" (or defence, or roads, or whatever it might be).

[Poll #951648]

Comments

[philmophlegm.livejournal.com]

Are we entitled to more than one choice?

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

No.

[(Anonymous)]

But tell us them in the comments, then, Philmophlegm, as I'm interested to know. - Neuromancer

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, that's allowed!

[philmophlegm.livejournal.com]

Oh, go on then...

(Apologies for the delay, I've been on a course in Paris and rather out of the loop when it comes to LJ and in fact the news. The only two snippets of English language news I saw in France caused me to think respectively "Bloody hell - he WAS murdered" and "OMG, WE'RE ALMOST AT WAR WITH IRAN!")

Consultants. Yes, I agree that government spends far too much on consultants. However, as someone who works for a firm that would be included in that category, I feel I may have to defend them to some extent. To paraphrase sigisgrim, 'Nothing wrong with consultants - some of my best friends are consultants'. Most of the ones I know are very clever and their work would be of benefit to the project if:
* The bureaucrats knew enough to tell them what they really wanted
* The bureaucrats didn't overpay them (often just so that they could use up their budget for the year and make sure that they had the same amount the following year)
* The bureaucrats used them as contractors and kept control of the project and didn't simply relinquish control of the project to a private sector firm with their own agenda.
What I am saying is that much of the criticism levelled here against consultants I would argue should actually be levelled at the public sector managers and civil servants who hire them.


The arts. I would tend to agree with that.

The ID card. Agreed. I fail to say any genuine anti-terrorist rationale. This must be one of the least liberal governments in recent memory.

Replacing Trident. Personally, I'm in favour of keeping an independent nuclear deterrent. But you can do this quite cheaply (existing Trafalgar class hunter-killer submarines could launch nuclear cruise missiles, you could develop a bomber fleet etc). ICBM submarines is a ridiculously expensive way to go. I mean, to have an effective deterrent, all you need is a decent chance that one nuke gets through.

Something that nobody else mentioned: Contributions to the EU budget. I would like to see the UK government reduce its net contribution to nil at least until the the European Court of Auditors is happy to issue an unqualified audit opinion. Currently, the UK, Germany and France pay for everyone else.

I'm with Neuromancer on pointless devolved government (or pretend government, like the regional assemblies).

I don't know enough about the Civil Service to form a view (and I'm loathe to form a view based largely on 'Yes, Minister'). However, there is that nagging feeling in the back of my mind, that we have far too many civil servants. After all, didn't we used to run India with three people or something.

Absurdly high-paid public sector jobs advertised in the Guardian. For example (looking at their website):

"Head of Care and Commissioning
SOUTH TYNESIDE COUNCIL
Tyne & Wear
£90,000
You will focus on strategic commissioning, service delivery and support, and your role will be at the heart of integrated working and joint commissioning."
(NINETY GRAND? You could BUY half of Tyneside for that!)

"Head of Crime Reduction & Supporting People
LONDON BOROUGH OF LEWISHAM
East London
£75,000 - £85,000 pa
You'll further develop our strong and lasting partnerships with local groups and stakeholders, including voluntary services, faith groups, housing and health organisations."
(Meaning what, exactly? I mean, shouldn't "crime reduction" be the job of the police?)

"Assistant Director - Transport, Infrastructure and Engineering
PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL
Devon
Circa £66,000 pa
You will manage the delivery of a five-year LTP capital programme of at least £47 million, to include local safety schemes, environmental improvements and regeneration."
(£66k in Plymouth? And that's just the assistant! Think what the director must be earning. Actually, that should say: Think what the director must be 'earning'.

"Assistant Director of Social Care and Family Services
CORNWALL COUNTY COUNCIL
Cornwall
£58,821 - £71,889 p.a.
We are looking for a successful, experienced Children's Social Care Manager to help us drive up performance and integration."
(So that explains our council tax bill.)

The Olympics. Los Angeles made money when they hosted it in 1984. That was never on the cards for London.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

You will focus on strategic commissioning, service delivery and support, and your role will be at the heart of integrated working and joint commissioning.

Is there a single word there that actually means something?