After the government allegedly exceeded its own target to save £21.5bn from its last efficiency drive – the ‘Gershon’ programme 2004-7 – and actually save £26bn, you would think there is little left for the National Audit Office to do. Just issue the odd report saying how well Whitehall is doing and then nip out for some golf. Continue reading “Whitehall inefficiency a thing of the past?”
Tag: NAO
Government Learning – an oxymoron?
A new NAO Report – Helping Government Learn – sets out to encourage better policies and practice for ‘organisational learning’ in government. Continue reading “Government Learning – an oxymoron?”
Caring for Carers?
There are about 6m unpaid carers in the UK, of whom 883,000 receive about £2bn a year in support – in benefits and employment support – from the government. But they contribute the equivalent of £23bn in unpaid caring to society, according to a new NAO study. Continue reading “Caring for Carers?”
Capable in a Crisis?
Sir Gus O’Donnell, head of the UK civil service, in a recent speech outlined why he thought the British civil service would perform well in the current financial and economic crisis. In an article – “Mandarin-tinted glasses” – published in Public Finance magazine, I ask questions just how well Whitehall is really doing – based on their reports of their performance. Continue reading “Capable in a Crisis?”
Colin Talbot - my blog 