Scotland's Public Service Reform Strategy: Delivering for Scotland

Foreword

“I want the people of Scotland to hear loud and clear my twin commitment to delivery and hope.

Delivery in the present, hope for the future.”

John Swinney MSP, First Minister January 2025

The people of Scotland want a future which is fairer, where everyone and every community has the opportunity to thrive. Although we face an incredibly challenging set of circumstances, the inherent strengths of Scotland – our vast resources and commitment to high standards of living and high quality of life – can deliver that future.

Public services are crucial to making that happen. They can, and do, have a transformational impact on people’s lives. Effective public services are also critical to delivering our economic growth objectives and to tackling the climate crisis. Nonetheless, we have to be clear-eyed about where public services are today and the challenges they face.

The Christie Commission articulated the need for public services that were efficient, integrated, prioritised prevention and empowered staff and service users. Despite some significant successes over the intervening years, we recognise that this vision has not been delivered to its full potential.

This Strategy for Public Service Reform addresses that challenge. It identifies the underlying systemic barriers and root causes which prevent us moving faster and further, and sets out practical actions to overcome those barriers. This is not about reducing service provision – it is not a race to the bottom. Nor is it about moving services out of public provision. Scotland will lead its own agenda, not follow that of others. It is about delivering existing public services more effectively and efficiently.

People’s lives and public services are complicated. We know that simplistic answers won’t deliver what people need and deserve. But we also recognise that well-functioning public services are the best antidote to those who would seek to divide our communities.

Everyone working in public services is motivated to work with people to improve their lives, but sometimes process and protectionism can get in the way of doing so. Public Service Reform is about reorienting our system to put people and those relationships first.

The Scottish Government cannot deliver reform alone. We are a part of a system – a system with huge potential which already shares a vision and values. As a small, connected country we can be agile in response to these challenges. We are committed to working together to find solutions and empowering people and communities. Through building on that distinct Scottish approach, we can deliver the scale and pace of change required. We can challenge one another to act differently, to embrace innovation and fresh thinking with that common and core goal of improving lives.

I have huge hope for the future of Scotland’s public services. The test will be whether we can take the hard decisions and deliver the change needed to make services sustainable. I am committed to doing so. I invite you to join me on this journey.

Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for Public Finance June 2025