Here are the links to three thoughts on the long term challenges for public spending…a series of speechs delivered over the last month or two;
- Our growth plan for the future. if we make the right choices now, we can not only rebalance our economy towards investment and exports, but we can open the new jobs that it is possible to create to people from a wider range of backgrounds, tackling the issue of low pay, and redoubling efforts to get people back to work.
Second, we have to use new growth to tackle concentrations of poverty to make sure in our new economy, no place is left behind. Strong government action in Britain has successfully reduced poverty in the past decade – in sharp contrast to the conservative policies of the Bush Administration in the United States. But the forces of globalisation are in danger of leaving some of Britain’s towns and inner cities behind.
Public services need to change to help master this challenge. A simple message; we should optimistic about the prospects for public services in the years to come. Yes spending growth will be slower; but we have built a store-house of strength in the last decade; a country of stronger citizens; a stronger frontline and a stronger civic society. Drawing on these strengths we can radically change the shape of state for the years to come
Liam is the MP for Birmingham Hodge Hill, and Labour's Shadow Chief Secretary. 
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
First concern – that mutualisation is more appropriate for private sector, and as a solution for commercial enterprises (like banks!) rather than public services.
Second concern – that the historic goal of the labour movement, to have political and economic democracy, is being lost in all this.
Is it entirely globalisation that has left some towns and cities behind, or is it also partly UK economic policy (on the part of successive governments) which has favoured the City of London against the interests of manufacturing? Birmingham and the Black Country should be driving the UK’s export led recovery out of this recession but we’ve precious little industry left to export with.
And what about local government? The standard is very poor in some places. In particular, one of the things local government seems to have problems doing is linking effectively to the active citizens you – rightly – highlight as having a key part to play in future shape of public services. The culture – and particularly the way that councils deal with risk and representation – alienates genuine active citizens. That includes the people with the guts to stand up for change in run-down and often violent neighbourhoods.