UNISON West Sussex Branch Secretary Dan Sartin was invited to be on the panel at the national, formal launch of a book focusing on the risks of outsourcing public services. It was produced by the research team at the Centre for Research on Socio-Cultural Change (CRSCR) in Manchester. ‘What a waste: outsourcing and how it goes wrong’ argues that the many service delivery fiascos such as G4S and the Olympics are a result of poor contracts, individual incompetence, profiteering and bidding for contracts in areas beyond their competence.
Our branch has added to the national debate on outsourcing through its publication of independent research into West Sussex County Council’s contract with Capita. Barnet Branch Secretary John Burgess was also invited to represent UNISON at the event, a branch with another large Capita contract.
Dan explained the findings of the branch’s research to an audience of researchers, academics, campaigners and journalists, including representatives from The Guardian and Financial Times. The event took place at the University of London.