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Advancing knowledge in public and social policy

Partnerships and the role of financial advisors: private control over public policy?

Authors:
Jean Shaoul Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, UK

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Anne Stafford Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, UK

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Pamela Stapleton Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, UK

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Article Category:
Research Article
Copyright:
© The Policy Press, 2007
Online Publication Date:
01 Jul 2007
Pages:
479–495
Publisher:
Policy Press
Volume/Issue:
Volume 35: Issue 3
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1332/030557307781571678
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English

This article shows how the use of private sector advisors, predominantly from the Big Four accounting firms, to develop and manage the government's Public–Private Partnerships policy, has led to the privatisation of policy formulation and implementation. Financial advisors develop the policy and appraisal procedures, appraise individual projects, and advise both public and private sector clients. In some cases, the firms also have an equity stake and/or are key subcontractors. They prepare evaluative reports on the same policies in which they have a vested interest. Such conflicts of interest raise questions about who controls policy and the implications for democracy.

English

This article shows how the use of private sector advisors, predominantly from the Big Four accounting firms, to develop and manage the government's Public–Private Partnerships policy, has led to the privatisation of policy formulation and implementation. Financial advisors develop the policy and appraisal procedures, appraise individual projects, and advise both public and private sector clients. In some cases, the firms also have an equity stake and/or are key subcontractors. They prepare evaluative reports on the same policies in which they have a vested interest. Such conflicts of interest raise questions about who controls policy and the implications for democracy.

English

This article shows how the use of private sector advisors, predominantly from the Big Four accounting firms, to develop and manage the government's Public–Private Partnerships policy, has led to the privatisation of policy formulation and implementation. Financial advisors develop the policy and appraisal procedures, appraise individual projects, and advise both public and private sector clients. In some cases, the firms also have an equity stake and/or are key subcontractors. They prepare evaluative reports on the same policies in which they have a vested interest. Such conflicts of interest raise questions about who controls policy and the implications for democracy.

Jean Shaoul Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, UK

Search for other papers by Jean Shaoul in
Current site
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,
Anne Stafford Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, UK

Search for other papers by Anne Stafford in
Current site
Google Scholar Close
, and
Pamela Stapleton Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, UK

Search for other papers by Pamela Stapleton in
Current site
Google Scholar Close

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