• Institute for Government and CIPFA publish Performance Tracker
• Report argues government is spending to keep public services like hospitals afloat rather than addressing the underlying problems these services face
• We agree that we need an honest assessment of what can be delivered within current funding constraints

The Institute for Government and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) have published Performance Tracker.

It brings together more than 100 data series to provide a comprehensive picture of the performance of government in running key public services.

The report argues that government is being forced into poor and reactionary spending decisions. It found that the government is spending over £10bn in five years just to keep troubled services such as hospitals going rather than addressing the underlying problems these services face.

Responding to Performance Tracker, the director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

“This report provides a comprehensive and invaluable assessment of the spending pressures on public services.

“Inevitably, given the growing demand so clearly outlined in the Performance Tracker, the NHS is a key area of concern.

Despite the best efforts of NHS trusts and their staff, financial pressures and workforce shortages are having a growing impact on the quality and safety of care.

“The institute is right to highlight continuing high levels of patient satisfaction, which under the circumstances is an extraordinary achievement.

“However growing numbers of patients face unacceptable delays for treatment. Despite the best efforts of NHS trusts and their staff, financial pressures and workforce shortages are having a growing impact on the quality and safety of care.

“The report calls for an honest assessment of what can be delivered within current funding constraints. We couldn’t agree more.”