Quote Originally Posted by JamesWales View Post
No, it's to do with poor working practices, silo cultures, WFH, dreadful guidance and communication, poor decision making etc etc.

Money issues don't help one bit. But there is never enough money, the US military would say they are underfunded so this is more an issue with the culture.
There are many cultures in the public sector (as there are in the private sector).

I am out of it now, but when I was working (mostly public sector - but started in the private) I was exposed to Councils, Fire & Rescue, the police and parts of the NHS. There were pockets of excellence - both culture and performance. There were areas or services with poor leadership (or no leadership). There were places where funding and incoherent political direction was the main problem. There were many areas (especially in Council services) where decades of expertise and knowledge were discarded within a year (thanks George Osbourne).

My Council experience (from 1986 to 2014) moved from 'professional but paternalistic', through high performing, motivated and inclusive (staff and service users), to gutted and demoralised - which is where we still are as a country!