Why Innovation Now?

Why Innovation Now | The Innovation Hub Strategy | Hub Key Objectives | Public Service Innovation | Transforming Government

Innovation is critical during periods of economic decline – innovative responses are no longer optional and are required not only by local public services but also from government. There are huge challenges facing government at the moment, whether they be:

• climate change, demographics, inequalities, demand for social care, binge drinking or the skills deficit
• the need to keep pace with new technologies for the ‘public good’
• or demands from the public for more responsive, efficient and effective services which are also more userfriendly, personal and local.

There are many intermediaries supporting social and public service innovation. The Whitehall Hub is particularly focused on enabling government to become more innovative in its practice and more sensitive to innovation, which is often hidden from view. Social and public innovation calls for a more agile and flexible government. We are interested in mature innovation not ‘blue skies’ ideas disconnected from the realities of public service. Innovation is a close cousin of creativity and invention but is about the design of new services and adoption of new practices. Importantly we need to tell stories of what innovation is about. Innovation involves getting close to problems and not assuming solutions too quickly.

‘Evidence shows that public service
innovation is flourishing but that it needs
systematic support from government;
working with innovators across the
public system and creating connections
is central to the hub’s work.’
Dr Su Maddock, Whitehall Hub Director