According to the report, of the £73.6 billion of public money spent in the capital less than half is under the control of the Greater London Authority or boroughs.
The report’s authors were asked to to help develop thinking on ‘Total Place‘ – an initiative which looks at how public services can deliver better services at less cost by avoiding duplication between organisations – at a pan-London level.
One area looked at by PwC is chronic care where they found potential savings of 18 per cent by enabling closer working between the NHS and social services.
London Councils’ Chairman Councillor Merrick Cockell said: “We have long been aware that councils do not operate within a perfect system. The way public bodies are funded, and the number of different organisations working for similar or overlapping aims, unfortunately make waste inevitable.”
“However, PwC’s research has shown us a way to radically reduce London’s burden on the public purse – while still improving the services we offer Londoners. Amidst the ongoing debate around the public sector funding squeeze, we will be thoroughly examining their conclusions in the hope of setting out significant reforms for the capital in the coming months.”
Download a copy of the report from the London Councils website
