Good government: eighth report of session 2008-09, Vol. 1: Report, together with formal minutes

Good government: eighth report of session 2008-09, Vol. 1: Report, together with formal minutes
ISBN-10
0215532244
ISBN-13
9780215532244
Series
Good Government
Category
Political Science
Pages
68
Language
English
Published
2009-06-18
Publisher
The Stationery Office
Author
Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Public Administration Select Committee

Description

This report draws on and consolidates the Committee's work over the past decade in order to identify enduring principles of good government. It also applies these principles to set out proposals for reforming British government. The report concludes that many aspects of Britain's governing structures and principles work well, despite opinions to the contrary that are sometimes expressed. PASC also finds, however, that there are significant features of Britain's political system that inhibit good government. In particular, PASC concludes there are too many ministers and a political culture too focused on responding to media demands. This has resulted in an excessive number of initiatives being launched and laws being introduced, which in turn reduces government's ability to decide and follow a clear and consistent direction. PASC urges government to place less emphasis on responding to short-term political pressures and instead urges a stronger focus on ensuring good basic administration in government. PASC's conclusions about government in Britain are based on five requirements that it has identified as prerequisites for good government: (1) Good people: the need to recruit and cultivate people with the right skills and abilities to undertake the work of government effectively; (2) Good process: appropriate structures, systems and procedures in place to develop and implement policies successfully; (3) Good accountability: adequate arrangements for holding both elected and appointed officials to account for their decisions and actions; (4) Good performance: effective performance assessment to identify how well government is meeting its objectives and where it could improve; (5) Good standards: high ethical standards exhibited by people in public life, underpinned by robust ethical regulation and strong ethical leadership.

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