The Coronavirus pandemic has prompted a groundswell of mass appreciation for the UK’s public sector – and many believe technology now has a pivotal role to play to safeguard and enhance the future of the crucial public services they cherish.
New consumer research from global software consultancy ThoughtWorks reveals that 88% of adults say they value the public sector more than they did three months ago – and whilst the NHS tops the list, heightened appreciation of the UK’s public sector extends far beyond this to include the care system, teachers, law enforcement agencies and HM Armed Forces.
Public services people appreciate more now than they did 3-months ago
● Our hospitals 65%
● Our support / care system for the elderly 41%
● Our network of GP Surgery’s 36%
● The armed forces’ ability to step in at times of emergency 31%
● Firms that behave with a public sector conscience 28%
● Our teachers/schools 25%
● Our law enforcement agencies 23%
Significantly, at a time when the health and emergency services have been at full stretch, 28% of the public also expressed appreciation for those private sector firms that had put community needs and social impact ahead of profits and as a result of behaving with ‘a public sector conscience’ had de facto broadened the public sector at a time of national crisis.
Public appreciation of public sector services rose across all regions of the UK, but peaked in the cities of Edinburgh (94%), Leeds (94%) and Manchester (91%).
However, this level of appreciation brings with it increased expectation on the level and scope of public services people would like for the future. With 93% of adults believing the public sector will need greater support for the future. The ThoughtWorks research suggests that technology now has a vital role to play in order to help the public sector to provide expanded, more personalised services in the coming months.
Looking at the future of the public sector over the next 10 years, survey respondents regarded almost all areas as a priority for investment and support. The NHS and emergency services topped the priority list (95% and 94% respectively) and the ThoughtWorks study also shows significant public priority placed on mental health services (92%).
In terms of how all these public services could be provided in the next decade, in 10 of 15 areas surveyed, the public were more likely to believe that technology rather than tax rises would be the answer – in order to help public services to become more far-reaching, more inclusive and more personalised.
David Howell, Portfolio Director – Public Sector at ThoughtWorks, commented:
“In recent years we all too often associate public services with spending. In the last month, the focus has been on the people – the extraordinary bravery and commitment of our public sector heroes working around the clock to save lives, keep society safe and to maintain essential front line services. It has been a time for everyone in the UK to take great pride in the services that our taxes pay for – and to fully appreciate a health service that is free on point of use.”
“Our research also comes at a time when every household in isolation has relied on technology to work, to communicate with family members, to attend school and to order food and essential items. We have had a taste of tomorrow today in the way technology has powered our lives and it may well change the way we live our lives when home isolation is lifted. Our research shows people have made the connection between renewed appreciation of public services and considering the impact that technology could have on its future. We are about to enter a challenging economic ‘new reality’ and technology now has a vital role to play to ensure the public services we value can be grown and tailored to the people’s needs as we set about rebuilding Britain in the years after the pandemic.”
