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Last updated: 23 November 2008
13 December 2006
CAB/074/06
Cabinet Secretary, Sir Gus O'Donnell, today made clear that there could be no slowing down of the Civil Service reform programme as he published Capability Reviews for three more departments including his own, the Cabinet Office. Reviews for the Departments of Trade and Industry and Communities and Local Government were also published alongside a summary paper on the key themes emerging from all of the Reviews so far. He also announced the creation of a new Civil Service Steering Board.
At a Whitehall conference for top public servants, on the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the Cabinet Office, Gus spoke about the importance of putting both influence and capability at the heart of Government.
He said:
“Ninety years and nine Cabinet Secretaries on, we are once again at a critical period in our history. The role of the state – or, more bluntly, what Ministers and the public expect from us – is changing just as profoundly, and arguably even more rapidly, than it did at any time in the 20th century. Global trends and the pace of change internationally and domestically are asking tough questions of societies and Governments. How nations respond to these questions will determine their success in the 21st century. And because the challenges are complex and globally driven, the response will have to be about influencing others, not command and control.
“The Prime Minister, introducing the first batch of Capability Reviews in July, made clear that in order to meet the challenges of the 21st century the role of the state was not to control, but to enable. This is what those of us who support the elected Government are charged with delivering.
“Our challenge is to raise the whole of the civil service to the level of the very best: building a culture of excellence everywhere in the service. We have to improve management at the top, through rigorous performance management and intervention where necessary. We must listen to what those who use public services are saying to us. We have to improve our own capability and skills. And we need to drive improvements in quality.
“I see Capability Reviews as a watershed in the history of public administration in the UK. They are a public and published assessment of how well a department is placed to face the future. They are tough and challenging and most importantly focus on what action needs to be taken”.
Capability Reviews were announced for all Government departments in October 2005 and are robust, evidence based assessments of Departments' capabilities to meet significant future challenges. The first four Reviews were published in July 2006 for the Home Office and Departments for Constitutional Affairs, Education and Skills, and Work and Pensions.
Each of the three reports published today includes a formal assessment of departmental capability in ten key areas and a response from the respective Permanent Secretary outlining what actions they intend to take as a result.
Commenting on the three Reviews published today, Gus said:
“The first set of reviews was of four big delivery departments. The second are about smaller departments where the key is not just delivery but influence. So for the Cabinet Office – influencing Government, the DCLG – communities, the DTI – business. So perhaps it's not a surprise that the scores on delivery are slightly lower than in the first set, though the scores on leadership are strong. The reports show each department has had much success to celebrate in all its core areas.”
Of the Review for the Cabinet Office:
Gus welcomed the review of his own department and said that a key theme of all Capability Reviews had been sharpening the focus of the centre. The review of the Cabinet Office was asking this question about the centre of Government itself. He said:
“Like the rest of the civil service, the Cabinet Office has already embarked on a major programme of reform. With the help of colleagues, I have already set in train measures to ensure we focus on our core functions, and strengthened the implementation of our own efficiency programme. We had over 2,100 staff last year, now we have 1,500 – despite taking on new and critical functions. By 2008 we expect to have reduced to around 1,350, a reduction of well over one third in just three years.
“Our plan moving forward has two core elements: actions to strengthen the way we lead from the centre and action to improve how we manage ourselves as a department.”
Alongside a number of measures designed to improve the Cabinet Office's management of its own performance, he announced three major cross Government initiatives:
Gus also stated that he was in the process of undertaking the six–monthly stock–takes of the first departments reviewed and said he had been encouraged by the strong response of their leaders. He said it was already clear that real progress was being made and he would formally report on achievements next year.
In concluding his speech, Gus said:
“Our challenge is to raise our game – to add more pace and professionalism. What we've announced today will help us get there.
“By doing this we'll make sure the public gets the Civil Service it deserves into the future. A Service passionately committed to making Government work better for all its citizens.”
ENDS
Cabinet Office Capability Review Implementation Plan [PDF 269KB, 14 pages]
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