A report released by the United Kingdom’s Reform of Government Commission says the Public Service must do more to attract and retain talented staff — but the bureaucracy was not the only source of roadblocks to progress.
In its report, which has been endorsed by Minister for the Cabinet Office, Michael Gove, the Commission argued that Public Service reform must be accompanied by solutions addressing Ministerial skills and churn if Departments were to achieve their long-term policy priorities.
In particular, it said Ministers should undergo training in policy and delivery, covering areas including procurement; digital delivery; statistics and data; and practical skills like better decision-making and chairing meetings.
“Greater Ministerial training in such areas will help to ensure that, when policies are designed, Ministers have a better understanding of the consequences and implications of different policy options,” the Commission said.
It stressed that training programs should be available to Junior Ministers — “often the engine room of Government” — and not just Secretaries of State.
The programs should also be available to prospective Ministers, given that those in post would have little time to complete multiple training courses.
The Commission said that should be just one way the Government and political parties should work to establish a “pipeline of political talent”.
Such training would help to equip new Ministers to handle the crises they were often faced with upon arriving in office. However, the Commission said turnover among Ministers must also be reduced.
“At present, Ministerial reshuffles are too frequent and Ministers are overstretched by competing and contradictory expectations,” it said.
London, 29 May 2021
