ABSTRACT

This chapter looks at the development over time of planning and government philosophies favouring planning in the UK. The planning-programming-budgeting system developed at the Greater London Council in the early 1970s was justified on the basis that it would support political decision-making and was not intended to replace political judgements. The dynamism of markets needs to be defended and preserved. This was true in 1945 when the Labour Party campaigned for government power saying that they had a National Plan for the country. David Cameron and Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, highlighted the importance of sustainable growth and support for green industries. Public sector reforms were also emphasized, which were linked to fostering social mobility. Planning systems have been designed to support political decision-making; for example, corporate planning in the London Borough of Greenwich in the 1970s was seen as helping the elected politicians who had to set priorities and make the key decisions about resources.