The government is handing over state schools in England to the private sector

In 2020, privatisation is no longer the covert, sneaky programme it once was. After the Covid-19 pandemic, the game is exposed for anyone to see, writes Carl Parsons

Pupils on the first day back to school at Charles Dickens Primary School in London (PA)

Ronald Reagan uttered one of the most stupid and damaging sentences about the role of the state when, in 1980, he said: “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”

The government should be here to help. Taxes are not a fine, something to diminish our possibilities but investment in our society to make a pleasant way of life for all.

Many public services established with this goal have been partially subcontracted, outsourced or sold off to private sector organisations. Covid-19 has opened the floodgates for the further flow of cash to private companies when existing public services, properly funded, could do a better job.