While everyone focuses on the Governments plans as set out in Budget 09, let’s pause for a moment and consider the Tories options.
Budget 09 – What Would the Tories Do?
By Colin Talbot Filed Under: Whitehall Watch Posted:
The Art of Public Strategy – Geoff Mulgan
By Colin Talbot Filed Under: Whitehall Watch Posted:
Geoff Mulgan’s new book on ‘The Art of Public Strategy’ is an riveting read, fizzing with insights and ideas. Mulgan played a big role in the Blair government, as a policy adviser and Head of the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit. He also has a strong history as a think-tanker and author, so his writing is […]
The Invisible Hand’s Shadow
By Colin Talbot Filed Under: Whitehall Watch Posted:
The shadow economy as an issue for public policy and public administration is something I have been banging on about for several years (see A False Economy, Public Finance, 2004). I recently tried to raise the issue at both the Treasury and Public Administration select committees. So I was pleased to see a fascinating paper by Sean […]
New EU concept paper on Public Service Reform
By Colin Talbot Filed Under: Whitehall Watch Posted:
A very useful new ‘concept paper‘ has just been published by the European Commission, authored mainly by UK professor Norman Flynn. Aimed at the development community, it will nevertheless be of interest to all scholars and practitioners of public management.
Whitehall inefficiency a thing of the past?
By Colin Talbot Filed Under: Whitehall Watch Posted:
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 […]
Efficiency savings urged to ease pain of cuts
By Colin Talbot Filed Under: Whitehall Watch Posted:
from the FT – By Nicholas Timmins Published: March 10 2009 00:39 | Last updated: March 10 2009 00:39
Modernising Government Mk II: ‘Working Together’
By Colin Talbot Filed Under: Whitehall Watch Posted:
Back in 1999 ‘Modernising Government’ was finally published. After nearly two years gestation the general verdict was that it was indeed an elephant – huge, sprawling and ungainly. Everything including the kitchen-sink had been thrown into the lengthy, turgid and mind-numbingly boring document. Well, now we have Modernising Government II – or ‘Working Together: Public […]
Gizza Job? Jobcentres Plus stitched up by Minister.
By Colin Talbot Filed Under: Whitehall Watch Posted:
“Gizza job”, those with long-enough memories will recall, was the catch phrase of the central character- Yosser Hughes – in Alan Bleasedale’s very dark BBC TV comedy ‘The Boys from the Blackstuff’ which aired in the middle of another big recession (1982).
Government bails out “Private” Finance Initiative
By Colin Talbot Filed Under: Whitehall Watch Posted:
The old joke that consultants borrow your watch and then charge you if you want to be told the time has finally come true. The UK Treasury has announced it will step in to provide the finance for £8bn worth of PFI (private finance initiative) deals this year, as other sources of finance dry up […]
Government Learning – an oxymoron?
By Colin Talbot Filed Under: Whitehall Watch Posted:
A new NAO Report – Helping Government Learn – sets out to encourage better policies and practice for ‘organisational learning’ in government.