Written evidence offered by the BGI in response to the PACAC inquiry into strategic leadership in the civil service, and the goal of building future service capacity. The document outlines the BGI’s conclusions, including the belief that civil … [Read more...] about Evidence to the PACAC Inquiry into Strategic Leadership in the Civil Service
BGI Papers
The Better Government Initiative (BGI) was active from 2007 to 2018. You can find all of its publications, freely accessible, here.
Complex Systems and Why They Go Wrong
A BGI paper looking at complex systems in government with an analytical focus on the constraints affecting policy making. The paper argues that many complex systems are not well understood in government, and states the BGI’s opinion that the … [Read more...] about Complex Systems and Why They Go Wrong
Evidence to the PACAC Inquiry into Government Decision-Making
Written evidence offered by the BGI in response to the PACAC inquiry into safeguards for proper government decision-making. Driven by the publication of the Chilcot Report, the document analyses the decision-making processes used by the government … [Read more...] about Evidence to the PACAC Inquiry into Government Decision-Making
Evidence to the PACAC Inquiry on Civil Service Effectiveness and Capacity
Written evidence offered by the BGI in response to the 2017 PACAC inquiry into the effectiveness and capacity of the Civil Service. The BGI’s conclusions regarding this enquiry are presented, and include the beliefs that the civil service does not … [Read more...] about Evidence to the PACAC Inquiry on Civil Service Effectiveness and Capacity
Better (Local) Government
A discussion of the place of local authorities in delivering key public services and the BGI’s belief that the relationship between central and local government should be reinforced and codified following the loss of the Local Government Finance … [Read more...] about Better (Local) Government
Evidence to the PAC Inquiry Into Civil Service Capability
Written evidence offered by the BGI in response to the Public Accounts Committee Inquiry into Civil Service Capability. The document looks at what the BGI considers the urgent and pressing concerns that the Civil Service is not sufficiently staffed … [Read more...] about Evidence to the PAC Inquiry Into Civil Service Capability
There May Be Trouble Ahead – The Civil Service in a Post Truth World
An article by Sir Richard Mottram, first posted on the LSE’s British Politics and Policy Blog, regarding the issues faced by the Civil Service in modern society, and on the differences between their actual role and the role some believe them to have. … [Read more...] about There May Be Trouble Ahead – The Civil Service in a Post Truth World
Parliament and Brexit
The BGI’s response to the speech delivered by Theresa May on 17 January 2017 setting out the government’s 12-priority-based plan to negotiate and navigate Brexit. The brief response poses some questions of the government’s plan, particularly … [Read more...] about Parliament and Brexit
Evidence to the HoL Inquiry into the Legislative Process
Written evidence offered by the BGI in response to the House of Lords Constitution Committee inquiry into the legislative process. The evidence looks at the standards the BGI believes should apply to new legislation as well as the compliance … [Read more...] about Evidence to the HoL Inquiry into the Legislative Process
The Chilcot Report: Lessons for the Machinery of Government
A BGI commentary surrounding the key issues presented by, and lessons to be learned from, the Chilcot Report. … [Read more...] about The Chilcot Report: Lessons for the Machinery of Government
Using the Prerogative for Major Constitutional Change: The United Kingdom Constitution and Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union
In the wake of the ‘leave’ outcome of the European Union (EU) referendum on 23 June, a key focus of interest is upon the manner in which the United Kingdom (UK) can give constitutional as well as legal effect to that outcome. Law is a necessary … [Read more...] about Using the Prerogative for Major Constitutional Change: The United Kingdom Constitution and Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union
Evidence to the PACAC Inquiry on the Civil Service
Written evidence offered by the BGI in response to the wide-reaching PACAC inquiry into the civil service. The evidence outlines primary civil service functions and looks at deliverability within government, weaknesses in training and career … [Read more...] about Evidence to the PACAC Inquiry on the Civil Service