Thinktank Reform says that 1m public sector jobs will need to be shed, according to its latest report.

The report says that whoever wins the next election will need to cut one in six public sector jobs, including doctors, nurses, police and teachers.

The report calls for a united cabinet to support public sector managers, putting appointments in the hands of ministers, an end to the ‘job for life’ culture through transparent fixed-term contracts and the end of generalised recruitment, such as the civil service fast stream.

The report also calls for greater transparency over salaries, contracts and performance for every public sector worker and an end to the civil service monopoly of advice to ministers, as well as the removal of barriers to competition and private sector delivery.

And the report also recommends reform of the NHS, by allowing good NHS managers to cut costs and improve access to people by shifting resources from expensive hospitals into more convenient local setting. It also calls for the NHS to be depoliticised by giving people a choice of primary care trusts.