Could You Manage the Country's Budget?

09-Jul-2010

If you have often thought that you could do a better job of managing the UK's finances, now is your chance to make a difference.  The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne today announced the second phase of the Spending Challenge, where members of the public can submit their ideas online for how to improve public services.

The first phase of the Spending Challenge, launched on the 24th June, opened up the floor to public sector workers, asking for their views on how the UK's public services are managed and funded.  The government claim to have received almost 60,000 responses over the following two-week period.

These responses include suggestions for improving the rules governing Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks for NHS doctors and nurses, decreasing public sector office waste through turning off office lights at weekends, and increasing workers' freedom to choose more cost-effective goods and services.  You can read some of the ideas on the Treasury website.

The thinking behind this new campaign is that the people who are actually working in and using the UK's schools, healthcare facilities, transport and other government-managed services are in the best position to comment on what is working, and what is not.  It is hoped that suggestions from the UK public will identify further areas where public spending can be made more efficient, thus enabling people to contribute to tackling the country's massive deficit.

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said:  "We are facing the challenge of a lifetime. [...] That's why I'm asking everyone across the country to send in their ideas. We need to tackle this huge national debt and make our economy stronger, and it's your ideas that will help us do that by improving public services and saving money."

The Spending Challenge is going to be active for submissions throughout July and August.  To put forward your ideas or read ideas that have already been submitted, please visit the Spending Challenge website.  You can also get in touch via the Democracy UK page on Facebook.