Scotland’s Public Services Crisis: addressing funding and reform
Thursday 06th February 2025
Scotland’s public services are critical. Those services and the bodies that deliver them depend upon financial stability which is key to long-term sustainability. However, acute fiscal pressures and lack of pace in delivering reform have created a sense of crisis. This conference explores how we got here and what the scope of the challenge is, what can be done to deliver change, and which are the practical steps possible to move forward.
The programme explores the critical issues facing Scotland’s public finances, the urgent need for public sector reform and the long-term challenges for budget sustainability. With a tough economic landscape, growing fiscal pressures, and increasing demands on public services, the need for a focused and strategic approach to budgeting and reform is greater than ever.
What strategies can we pursue to modernise public services and improve efficiency? Are there lessons from elsewhere which could help us to apply best practice in Scotland? Can we ensure financial sustainability while addressing urgent needs now? What long term planning and thinking should we be implementing for public service resilience and innovation?
This conference offers key insights into managing financial challenges, redesigning public services and navigating the tough economic landscape. It is an opportunity to join speakers from a range of bodies including government, public bodies, think tanks and academia in exploring solutions to safeguard Scotland’s public finances.
The conference discusses the challenges ahead in three sessions:
- What is the financial and change context for public services?
- What can we change, what reform can be delivered?
- Practical ways to move forward – harnessing technology, addressing infrastructure and transforming procurement
Topics to be discussed
- The financial and change context for public services
- The economic outlook and Scotland’s public finances
- Public sector reform for long term financial sustainability
- What we can change, what reform can be delivered
- Delivering public services in a changing budget environment
- Transparency and accountability in public sector spending
- Collaborating across sectors to drive efficiency
- Practical ways to move forward
- Using AI to improve public services outcomes
- Infrastructure and sustainability – meeting long term investment needs
- Procurement innovationy – improving efficiency and reducing costs
Who Should Attend
- Management including Chief Executives, Directors, Heads of Finance, Managers, Service Managers, Departmental Heads, Policy Officers, Change and Service Transformation Managers
- Public sector bodies including local government, quangos/NDPBs, health, further education and emergency services
- Third sector partners in public sector service delivery
- Public affairs specialists including staff working in marketing, communications, engagement and public relations
- Advisory and representative groups including policy makers, lawyers, professional representative organisations and trade unions
- Campaigning groups including lobbying groups, sectoral and industry groups, single issue campaigning organisations
- Private sector working with and supplying to the public sector including companies, industry bodies and specialist advisors
- Public sector reform leaders
- Strategic policy directors
- Academics specialising in public finance, services and governance
Speakers
Mark Watson
Chief Civil Architect
Leidos UK
Agenda
Thursday 06th February 2025
09:25 Chair's opening remarks
Session 1: What is the financial and change context for public services?
09:30 Keynote speaker
09:45 Question and answer session
09:55 The economic outlook and Scotland’s public finances
- How economic trends are shaping Scotland’s fiscal outlook
- Key budget pressures for the coming year
- The fiscal impact of inflation and public service demand
10:10 Public sector reform for long term financial sustainability
- The need for reform to deliver efficient services in a time of constraint
- Integrating technology and innovation to reduce public sector costs
- Managing the workforce and service expectations under fiscal pressures
10:25 Question and answer session
10:40 Comfort break
Session 2: What can we change, what reform can be delivered?
10:55 Delivering public services in a changing budget environment
- Strategies for managing public services amidst budget cuts
- Redesigning service delivery for sustainability
- Implementing public sector innovations for long-term efficiency.
11:10 Transparency and accountability in public sector spending
- Ensuring value for money in public services
- The role of audit and accountability in public finance
- Using data and evidence for better financial decisions.
11:25 Collaborating across sectors to drive efficiency
- Cross-sector collaboration for efficient service delivery
- Creating partnerships between public, private, and third sectors
- Achieving cost-effective outcomes through integrated services.
11:40 Question and answer session
11:55 Comfort break
Session 3: Practical ways to move forward – harnessing technology, addressing infrastructure and transforming procurement
12:10 Using AI to improve public services outcomes
Mark Watson, Chief Civil Architect, Leidos UK
- How AI can transform public service delivery
- Reducing costs and improving efficiencies in public services through technology.
- Case studies of AI implementation in public services
12:25 Infrastructure and sustainability – meeting long term investment needs
- Managing infrastructure investment amidst budget constraints.
- Developing sustainable infrastructure for Scotland’s public sector.
- The role of public-private partnerships in financing future projects.
12:40 Data-Driven Decision-Making in Public Services
- Leveraging data analytics to optimize service delivery and resource allocation
- Building robust data-sharing frameworks between public, private, and third-sector organizations
- Examples of successful data-driven public sector initiatives in Scotland
12:55 Question and answer session
13:10 Chair's closing remarks
Speakers
Mark Watson
Chief Civil Architect
Leidos UK
LeidosInc
Mark is the Chief Architect for the Civil Division of Leidos UK.
Working across the Central Government, Devolved Government, Transport and Air Traffic Control sectors, Mark brings a wealth of experience to his customers. Mark is a seasoned professional known for introducing groundbreaking solutions to the market. His achievements include spearheading innovative projects such as Biometric services for Borders, Machine Learning applications, and Digital Twin technology for Intelligent Road Management.
Mark has also led initiatives in Robotic Process Automation for Passport Control and has contributed to Security Accredited Shared Services, significantly reducing ownership costs for Government Departments.
Venue
This conference will take place online.
Fees
How to book
You can book to attend, or order the video only, in 3 ways:
- Select book now on the right hand side of this page, fill in the form on that page and click the 'send booking' button
- Call 0131 556 1500
- Email mail@mackayhannah.com
Conference fees
- Delegate fee (includes video recording) – £149 +VAT
- Video recording (should you wish to purchase a video recording without registering to attend the conference) – £99 +VAT
GROUP DISCOUNT – organisations booking 3 or more delegates will receive every third delegate place free of charge (please complete further forms if necessary)
PLEASE NOTE – the option of ordering the video recording only is intended for any individual who would normally have attended the event but – for whatever reason – is unable to do so on the day. It is not permissible to share this recording. Please contact us if you wish to share this recording. See our terms and conditions for further information.
Payment
We do not currently accept payments online and will send you an invoice.
You have the option of paying by bank transfer or card.
Bank details will be included on the invoice.
If you wish to pay by card, please tick the appropriate box on the booking form and a member of our staff will contact you by telephone to take the payment. Alternatively you may call 0131 556 1500.
Terms and conditions
By placing this booking, you agree to the full terms and conditions found via the link at the foot of our website.
