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Government system 'needs reform' Government system 'needs reform'
(about 5 hours later)
The UK's system of government is in need of "urgent" reform, a group of former senior servants has warned. The UK's system of government needs "urgent" reform, a group of former senior civil servants has warned.
Ministers have to pass fewer, but better, laws as they get to grips with issues like the financial crisis and global warming, a report adds.Ministers have to pass fewer, but better, laws as they get to grips with issues like the financial crisis and global warming, a report adds.
The Better Government Initiative also warns that government targets could prove to have "perverse" consequences.The Better Government Initiative also warns that government targets could prove to have "perverse" consequences.
Frequent changes of policy or staff could lead to "confusion and loss of expertise", its says. Frequent changes of policy or staff could lead to "confusion and loss of expertise", it says.
The Better Government Initiative was compiled by 14 former senior civil servants, including Lord Butler, who carried out an inquiry into intelligence leading up to the Iraq war, current Iraq inquiry chairman Sir John Chilcot and Sir Thomas Legg, who is overseeing the audit of MPs' expenses.The Better Government Initiative was compiled by 14 former senior civil servants, including Lord Butler, who carried out an inquiry into intelligence leading up to the Iraq war, current Iraq inquiry chairman Sir John Chilcot and Sir Thomas Legg, who is overseeing the audit of MPs' expenses.
'Cumulative failures''Cumulative failures'
It says that, over the last 20 years, "the public and the media have come to regard several events as notorious examples of bad government".It says that, over the last 20 years, "the public and the media have come to regard several events as notorious examples of bad government".
These include the poll tax of 1990, the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991, the failure of the Child Support Agency, the Hunting Act 2004 and the story of the Millennium Dome.These include the poll tax of 1990, the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991, the failure of the Child Support Agency, the Hunting Act 2004 and the story of the Millennium Dome.
The group's report says: "Policy failures have often been cumulative as one new initiative and one act of Parliament has followed another on the same subject."The group's report says: "Policy failures have often been cumulative as one new initiative and one act of Parliament has followed another on the same subject."
It says governments have created "perverse incentives" and "unintended consequences of targets and performance indicators".It says governments have created "perverse incentives" and "unintended consequences of targets and performance indicators".
There is "confusion and loss of expertise resulting from frequent changes of policy or organisation and movement of staff to meet new demands", it adds.There is "confusion and loss of expertise resulting from frequent changes of policy or organisation and movement of staff to meet new demands", it adds.
The report also argues that there has been "loss of direction as one initiative is laid on top of another, or 'trialled' and 'rolled out', distracting attention from ordinary business".The report also argues that there has been "loss of direction as one initiative is laid on top of another, or 'trialled' and 'rolled out', distracting attention from ordinary business".
It criticises "excessive bureaucracy in prescribing new systems or procedures" and "a 'tick-box' culture in which complying with the rules replaces responsible judgment and individual discretion".It criticises "excessive bureaucracy in prescribing new systems or procedures" and "a 'tick-box' culture in which complying with the rules replaces responsible judgment and individual discretion".
The group recommends introducing fewer parliamentary bills, adding: "The objective should be that Parliament should do less through legislation but do it better".The group recommends introducing fewer parliamentary bills, adding: "The objective should be that Parliament should do less through legislation but do it better".
Such proposals should be examined in terms of "cost-benefit and net fiscal impact".Such proposals should be examined in terms of "cost-benefit and net fiscal impact".
The group says Whitehall departments "should focus on developing policy and monitoring performance rather than day-to-day operations" and with less interference from central government.The group says Whitehall departments "should focus on developing policy and monitoring performance rather than day-to-day operations" and with less interference from central government.
The Better Government Initiative is to reveal its full report later on Wednesday.The Better Government Initiative is to reveal its full report later on Wednesday.