Public sector must act in concert as never before if Brown is to be placated

Published: 18/07/2001, Volume II2, No.5814 Page 17

Like a great cathedral illuminated by floodlights, Britain's public services have emerged from out of the gloom of the past three decades to become once again the focal point for national debate and, importantly, hope.

This is good time to be a public sector manager: the money is there, the political will is there and - as the stock market dives - the job security is better, too. Expectation is, of course, sky high, but better that than the road to irrelevance and redundancy.

In the run-up to this week's comprehensive spending review, there was much talk in Whitehall circles of inequality and the need to use all the levers of government to tackle it. That is Gordon Brown's dream and his chosen representatives on earth are public sector managers - for only they can perform the miracle of ensuring that money is spent efficiently where it is needed. But, beware: the chancellor can be a wrathful god, and the price of failure will be high.There is nothing to suggest that the way things have been done will deliver what is needed.

So far, so familiar. What this week's spending review does to change the picture is to confirm this government's belief that the public sector must act in concert to achieve progress. Education has always been the NHS's partner in raising the quality of life.

Now it has got some of the money it needs to promote a healthier way of life, just as the NHS has the cash to help people make the most of educational opportunities. Details of transport and housing spending have yet to be revealed, but again they can be expected to have their part to play in tackling inequality.

It might appear reasonable, then, to suggest that health will be less scrutinised in the future; that the attention of government, the media and the public will be more evenly spread. do not you believe it. Health remains the government's number one priority.

The clever health service manager will be on the phone to his local head teachers, housing association chief executives and others receiving Mr Brown's largesse to see how they can help. The public sector may be floodlit, but the spotlight is still on you.