Open AccessThe Consequences of the Austerity Policies for Public Services in the UK
Author(s) -
Tania Arrieta
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
studies in social justice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.213
H-Index - 14
ISSN - 1911-4788
DOI - 10.26522/ssj.v15i3.2568
Subject(s) - austerity , retrenchment , decentralization , statutory law , public administration , public service , corporate governance , inequality , public sector , business , economics , political science , law , finance , economy , market economy , mathematical analysis , mathematics , politics
This article examines the changing landscape of public service provision in the UK during austerity. Austerity is presented through the notions of retrenchment, decentralisation and shifts in governance. The analysis shows that retrenchment and decentralisation eroded the capacity of public institutions to protect the provision of vital public services. This is revealed through the reduced provision of non-statutory services and the reinforcement of inequalities in service provision. Shifts in governance have led to mixed outcomes in the quality of services. This article also addresses how austerity influenced many of the problems observed in service provision during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vital public services in the UK faced the pandemic with a diminished resource base, heightened inequalities and significant fragmentation in service provision.