New Management of Public Services: The United Kingdom Experience

Abstract

This article considers changes in public management within the context of the political environment withinwhich it is practised. Taking the United Kingdom as an example, the article considers the alleged deficienciesof traditional public administration and the nature and implications of New Public Management. It is shown,that application of the New Public Management continues and the merits of competition and customer-focus,with concomitant emphases on restructuring, measuring performance, etc., are stressed as key characteristicsof the new public service environment.