The use of performance measures in the UK's coronavirus crisis: Implications for stakeholder engagement and performance management

The chapter explores the use of performance measures relating to public health during the UK’s coronavirus crisis and reflects on potential future research. At the outset, the chapter gives a background to the UK experience and then explores the usefulness of deliberative democracy, agonistic pluralism and “agonistic deliberation” as potential theoretical lenses. Focusing upon politicians, professional experts and members of the public, the chapter considers the role of performance information/measures in helping make sense of the crisis and contributing to public debates. The chapter reveals the innovative presentation and use of public health information in the UK during the pandemic. Instrumental rationality was found between the government and the public, and some degree of communicative rationality between government and non-affiliated scientists, in a context of “agonistic deliberation”. A research remit relating to the three stakeholders and performance information on public health is put forward at the end of the chapter. During a crisis, the chapter argues, it is vital that multiple voices be heard in democratic debate.