The public sector manifesto sets out “a bold invitation” to public professionals to “join our mission to strengthen society and deliver greater value from government for people”.
In return, David Cameron outlines a new set of rights and benefits that public sector workers will receive under a Conservative government.
The public sector manifesto also sets out detailed new plans to help Britain’s five million public sector workers to become their own boss, by setting up their own employee owned co-op.
A Conservative government would establish a Public Sector Co-op Service, says the document. This would have a full-time staff with the resources and expertise needed to provide guidance to every public sector body about becoming a co-op.
It would act as a “battering ram for the co-operative movement” within government, and will “help to transform the public sector, driving down costs and improving morale and productivity”.
The Conservative’s approach has been backed by Peter Holbrook, CEO of the Social Enterprise Coalition, and Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK.
In a personal appeal to public sector workers, David Cameron promised that a Conservative government would:
- Trust in [your] professionalism
- Deliver fairer pay
- Give [you] the chance to take over the services [you] deliver
- Reward hard work and excellent service
- Provide a more flexible working life
- Back [you] against unfounded action and bureaucratic rules
- Ask [you] to help us build the Big Society
