Innovation in public services

Delivering world-class public services within sustainable budgets requires disruptive innovation to be normal practice. New trends, from an ageing population to a changing economy, require fresh thinking about how to deliver services. Innovative practice such as artificially intelligence doctors and predictive policing are working in some parts of the country. The challenge is to make these new approaches the norm.

Achieving this means understanding the levers for spreading innovation across the public sector. The Treasury can be central in highlighting best practice, understanding incentives and creating a culture of change, focusing on outcomes not inputs, for example.

Reform was delighted to host Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, to explore how innovation can become normal practice across the public sector. The event brought together a group of 14 senior practitioners, decision makers and experts. The event considered the following questions:

• How can the public sector incentivise and enable new, disruptive thinking?
• What are the cultural changes necessary for innovation to take place in the public sector?
• Are there any other areas in which the public sector can change to embrace innovation?

The event took place under the Chatham House Rule.