Evidence library

The UK?s public services face a long and difficult period of austerity. To address the perilous state of our public finances, the UK Government has begun the task of significantly reducing public spending. This will have serious implications both for those who work in public services and the citizens that depend on them. This discussion paper draws on the economist Joseph Schumpeter?s analysis of innovation ? and on NESTA?s experience of supporting innovation in public services ? to consider how Government should approach the cuts in ways that prompt innovation.