British Chancellor tells Public Services: Use More Design

30th April, 2009 by Lesley High

The UK Government has pledged to accelerate the development of the Public Services by Design programme that will see design given a central role in UK public services.

In a report published alongside the recent Budget statement, Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling highlighted the need to ‘build a legacy of innovative design thinking and skills’ across the public sector and urged local and central government to improve outcomes and efficiency in public services by using design.

Public Services by Design is included as a recommendation in the report: “DIUS should support the Design Council to accelerate the planned roll out of the Public Services By Design programme by increasing the number of prototype projects. Central and local government should consider how design approaches could help deliver improved outcomes and greater efficiency.”

This builds on the recent report from the National Audit Office and gives a clear recognition of the importance of design and innovation in helping public services tackle uniquely complex challenges at a time of great financial pressure.

The UK-based Design Council plans to expand the number of pilot projects over the coming year before rolling out Public Services by Design across the public sector in partnership with the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills.

I wonder what it would take in Australia for Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan to encourage a similar action and how much lobbying must this have taken?

To read the full press release visit:

http://www.designcouncil.org.uk/

View comments

This is another example of how the Australian design industry as a whole is being left behind. It's a great initiative for the UK designers though!
Posted by Fiona Brine on 6th May 2009