Going public

The exercise has provided some interesting ideas – although why many suggestions were not taken up years ago is a disgrace

in itself.

Among the best from 66,000 public sector workers are the sharing by Government departments of back office functions such as human resources and finance, or making criminal record checks transferable across the NHS – a policy now being implemented.

Others are simple such as switching off computers at night, while some are more populist such as capping severance payments for public sector bosses.

Ideas from 44,000 members of the public are more diverse. Merging police and fire services – as suggested in some parts of Yorkshire – may be already on the cards, as, perhaps, will be removing some tiers of local government.

Among the most controversial would see an end to universal benefits, such as child benefit or winter fuel payments, and instead make them means-tested. Such ideas may not find favour with middle class voters.

What is certain is that the cuts will be deep and hurt growth prospects for the economy as hundreds of thousands of workers in both public and private sectors are cast out of work.

One way to prevent such an occurrence now presents itself. The Government's next public appeal should be for ideas about how to generate economic growth.