Sir Malcolm McKibbin hopeful public services can improve after Stormont struggle

By David Young, Press Association

Any restored devolved executive at Stormont needs to work more collaboratively if struggling public services are to be secured, the former head of the civil service has said.

Sir Malcolm McKibbin said ministers would need to take tough and brave decisions in order to secure the sustainability of key services in the future.

Helping to launch a new report outlining a number of suggested ways to reconfigure how public money is spent in the region, Sir Malcolm painted a bleak picture of the status quo.

He said there had been a "gradual deterioration" across the public services, with a number apparently approaching a "cliff edge".

Sir Malcolm said problems caused by ongoing Treasury constraints on public spending had been compounded by the near two-year absence of a devolved government.

He said Brexit had only added a further layer of complexity.

The region's former top civil servant has worked with global consultants Deloitte to produce a detailed analysis of public service delivery in Northern Ireland and how it could be improved.

The State of the State report offers a range of ideas, many suggesting new technology and digitisation to streamline and rethink traditional models of delivery.

"There are major issues around the constraints on public sector spending and on the sustainability of public services and this report is geared at trying to identify options that would help us meet those challenges," said Sir Malcolm.

"I think most people would admit there has been a gradual deterioration in a number of public services - there are reports some are approaching the proverbial cliff edge.

"I do think it's a particularly challenging time and whenever you add on the issues surrounding Brexit and the amount of time that is consuming quite throughout the United Kingdom it is an additional layer of complexity and challenge that does makes this a difficult time."

He said the lack of decision making at Stormont was having an impact.

Asked if the previous executive's record of delivery suggested local politicians would be unwilling to take tough decisions in the future, Sir Malcolm said: "I've always been an optimist and I remain one but it is going to require the executive probably to operate slightly more collaboratively and more strategically in the future.

"There is hope here, there is a way through - but it does require some courageous and determined leadership."

The former top public servant said Deloitte had been able to draw on its worldwide experience to offer solutions that never came before his desk at Stormont.

Jackie Henry, office senior partner at Deloitte Northern Ireland, said: "Governments around the world are responding to their own particular challenges in different and innovative ways by, for example, reconfiguring services and developing smart cities and regions.

"Given the relatively small size of Northern Ireland, both geographically and demographically, it is feasible that many of the innovative technological and digital initiatives already employed elsewhere could be successfully introduced to manage or influence service demand, reduce costs and promote better outcomes."