A bit of history here! The 30 year period after the end of World War II is called the “golden era” of the public sector in the UK. It was assigned the role of “model” employer and expected to implement good management practices. The purpose was to set an example to employers in other sectors.
The end of the golden era led to increased financial stringency and the introduction of competition into those public services which had not been privatised. There was reduced job security (many areas were at that time sub-contracted to private companies) as well as an increase in the number of part-time workers. The public sector unions were weakened by the reduced membership and the legal constraints imposed on all trade unions.