A British think tank has warned that job cuts in the Public Service (PS) have resulted in fundamental changes in the way British PS worked, but because the changes were made almost entirely within individual Departments, little attempt has been made for Agencies to learn from each other.

In its report, Transforming Whitehall, The Institute for Government said 54,000 staff had been cut from the British PS in 18 months, but only 27 per cent agreed that the changes had been well led and managed.

It said that whilst Departments were dealing with unprecedented change, tight controls on consultancy spending had meant they had “virtually no access to outside expertise to support them”.

“Our study shows 17 Departments had approached their cuts in 17 different ways; some with greater success than others,” the report said.

“With the danger of declining staff engagement, the onus is on leaders to ensure the motivation and capability is there to see them through.”

A spokesman for the Cabinet Office said work was underway to transform the Public Service into a leaner, more efficient machine that managed its finances like the best-run businesses.

“The Civil Service of the future will be smaller, flatter, faster, more unified, more digital, more accountable for delivery, more capable, better managed, and – ultimately – more fun to work for,” the spokesman said.

Writing in a blog, the Head of the Public Service, Sir Bob Kerslake said the Public Service of the future must look radically different.

“Improving digital skills in Government is a crucial element of our reform agenda,” Sir Bob said.

“Digitisation of Government has a wide range of benefits, from driving savings and innovation for Government to making things easier and more convenient for citizens.

For more on this story go to:

http://www.psnews.com.au/worldpsn3394.html

See also attached “Transforming Whitehall Study Report”