Poll finds opposition to privatisation

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22 August 2012

Research published today shows that people prefer the state - not private companies - to run public services.

A poll by YouGov found that 62% of those who responded thought that public services should be provided ‘mainly or only by government’, with just 5% supporting provision ‘mainly or only by private companies or charities’.

The research was carried out for the Fabian Society, who have put the findings in a book – ‘For the public good: how people want their public services to change' by Natan Doron and Andrew Harrop.

Sixty per cent of those polled said services should not be run like businesses but should reflect the values and ethos of the public good.

Brendan Barber, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress - which supported the research – said: "Despite services being constantly talked down by ministers and scaled back by cuts, the public still has a strong, deep-rooted commitment to the public service ethos.

"The quiet majority now need to stand up for services like never before.

“We must advocate an alternative economic programme that sees public services as a way to invest in people and communities."

PCS is affiliated to the TUC – the umbrella organisation for unions in Britain.

The Fabian Society – founded in 1884 – describes itself as “Britain’s oldest political think tank”.

Links

‘For the public good’ on the Fabians’ website

Austerity isn’t working: there is an alternative – read our economic policy

Privatisation and outsourcing – a toolkit for trade unionists

Defend public services – join PCS

Public and Commercial Services Union