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Austerity, political control and supplier selection in English local government: implications for autonomy in multi-level systems

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  • Peter Eckersley
  • Anthony Flynn
  • Laurence Ferry
  • Katarzyna Lakoma

Abstract

Analysis of 60,000 contracts awarded by English councils between 2015–19 reveals that austerity constraints are a key predictor of councils outsourcing services to for-profit suppliers, regardless of their political control. Conservative Party-controlled councils are also more likely to contract with for-profit suppliers, although we found no link between Labour-controlled councils and not-for-profit suppliers, nor evidence that political or budgetary factors influence whether councils contract with providers based in their own region. We argue that centrally imposed funding cuts, and a belief that for-profit suppliers represent a cheaper option, could be overriding Labour Party councils’ ideological preference for not-for-profit providers.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Eckersley & Anthony Flynn & Laurence Ferry & Katarzyna Lakoma, 2023. "Austerity, political control and supplier selection in English local government: implications for autonomy in multi-level systems," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(1), pages 1-21, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rpxmxx:v:25:y:2023:i:1:p:1-21
    DOI: 10.1080/14719037.2021.1930122
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    Cited by:

    1. Micaela Mazzei & Gillian Murray & Danielle Hutcheon, 2023. "Prospects for municipal stewardship as a national policy: A scoping review and thematic synthesis," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 38(5), pages 460-483, August.

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