G4S’ failure does not destroy the argument for outsourcing

The left are having a field day in traducing the concept of contracting-out as if, somehow, the failure of G4S to deliver its Olympic contract was some kind of slam dunk. It is curious that one does not hear the same voices raised against the use of public sector in-house teams in relation to the queues at Heathrow airport’s immigration desks.

In many senses, the obvious failure of contractors in situations such as the G4S Olympic contract, and in the welfare-to-work schemes, is a sign of the success of the whole idea. When government services provided by in-house teams fail, non-delivery is brushed under the carpet. Poorly performing schools linger forever; disorderly prisons fester; job centres do not get people back into work; and so on. When the G4S contract was granted cash was handed over; G4S failed to deliver on the contract; they paid up; and their share price tumbled.