Independent Review of Governance and Accountability in the Civil Service

Monday 13th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General (Jeremy Quin)]

Today we have published in full the Independent Review of Governance and Accountability in the Civil Service. This review was commissioned in July 2022 and was led by the right hon. Lord Maude of Horsham.

The Government are committed to ensuring we are best placed to take long term decisions, and implement them for the British people. Our reform agenda is rooted in the principles set out in the Declaration of Government Reform, which envisaged the Independent Review on Accountability. In a speech I gave at Policy Exchange in July, I updated our reform agenda reflecting my renewed focus on people, place, and technology.

Lord Maude’s proposals aim to improve efficiency, clarify accountabilities, and change structures in the Civil Service. There are some issues highlighted in the review on which the Government are proud of action already underway. For example, we have introduced a training programme for Ministers; we are undertaking a review of the 125 most significant public bodies to improve efficiency and performance; and we are strengthening the process to identify new chairs and board members of public bodies to develop and support a strong pipeline of candidates.

However, a number of long-term recommendations, if implemented now, would serve to detract from the focus on the Prime Minister’s five critical priorities. For example, we will not take forward the recommendation for a significant restructure of the machinery of central Government or alter the role of Cabinet Secretary.

This is a welcome contribution and we will now consider the recommendations carefully and respond in due course. In the meantime, I have requested that a copy of the review be deposited in the Libraries of the Houses of Parliament.

[HCWS30]