BGI Papers

5th April 2016

Written evidence offered by the BGI regarding concerns that key recommendations made by the Grimstone Review into public appointments could lead to a shift from appointments based on merit to appointments based on personal and/or political … [Read more...] about The Grimstone Review of Public Appointments: Evidence to PACAC

12th November 2015

Written evidence offered by the BGI suggesting that in order to allow proper public scrutiny of the legislature, factual information that has played a part in the development of policy should be made available as soon as a policy is announced. … [Read more...] about Evidence to the Independent Commission on Freedom of Information

14th October 2015

Written evidence offered by the BGI regarding procedural matters in developing a new constitutional settlement and the implications of the continuing use of the Barnett Formula to set public expenditure levels in Scotland.  … [Read more...] about Evidence to the PACAC inquiry into English votes for English laws and the future of the Union

31st March 2015

Summarised minutes of a discussion regarding the BGI’s recently published The Next Government with principal speakers Lord Falconer, Lord Butler, Sir Richard Mottram and Dominic Grieve MP. Includes both speeches delivered by the principal speakers … [Read more...] about Summarised Report on a Discussion of “The Next Government”

12th January 2015

Written evidence from the BGI to the Political and Constitutional Reform Select Committee's consultation on “A New Magna Carta ”, the formal creation of a new constitutional document. … [Read more...] about Evidence to the Political and Constitutional Reform Select Committee on “A New Magna Carta”

6th January 2015

An outline of the five key steps the BGI recommended to overcome serious deficiencies in the deployment and development of senior civil servants. The recommendations relate to the appointment and working of the CEO, recruitment from private-sector … [Read more...] about The Deployment and Development of Senior Civil Servants

19th December 2014

A look at the challenges of providing government funding to Scotland, discussing the Barnett Formula, welfare spending and devolved tax powers in the face of the ongoing Scottish independence referendum campaign. … [Read more...] about Financing Scotland

19th September 2014

An analysis of the workings of coalition governments in British politics, looking at how parties should address the potential of coalitions before elections, the negotiations leading to coalitions, the governance carried out by them and how they … [Read more...] about Coalition Government

4th July 2014

Summary minutes of the BGI’s 7th Plenary Conference, held at Ditchley Park in association with the Constitution Society, and including an introduction by Sir Richard Mottram. Conference sessions include the activities of the Coalition Governement, … [Read more...] about Summary Minutes of 2014 Ditchley Conference

5th April 2014

Written Evidence from the BGI to the Public Administration Select Committee's inquiry into the impartiality of the Civil Service, and compliance with the Civil Service Code, in relation to the independence referendum in Scotland. The evidence relates … [Read more...] about Evidence to the PASC on Civil Service Impartiality and Referendums

25th February 2014

A personal opinion of the constitutional responsibilities of the Civil Service put forward by Sir Christopher Foster, prompted by the Coalition Government's interest in Civil Service reform amidst public and ministerial criticism. … [Read more...] about Constitutional Responsibilities of the Civil Service

17th December 2013

A brief summary of written evidence from the Better Government Initiative to the Liaison Committee’s inquiry to follow up the recommendations made in its 2012 report into select committee effectiveness, resources and powers. … [Read more...] about Evidence to the Liaison Committee on Select Committees