Commission for Smart Government

An independent initiative which reported in 2021 to consider how to make public administration more effective. Powered by @governup and @project4md

[Daniel Korski @DanielKorski]

The #ConservativeParty leadership race hasn't said much about how in No 10 @RishiSunak or @trussliz would seek to digitise public services better, except a mention of digitising healthcare by the ex-Chancellor. That's a shame; it's a massive opportunity https://t.co/0iQadyqM3o

[Daniel Korski @DanielKorski]

A lot of people have said to me over the years that the @David_Cameron No 10 worked well compared to subsequent versions. But why? As @RishiSunak and @trussliz prepare for government here are a few thoughts. Check out this @GovernSmarter session too https://t.co/82rUAdRMH1

[Daniel Korski @DanielKorski]

Any new government should have a more comprehensive plan for the future of Whitehall, as it's clear the current setup doesn't work. I think @KemiBadenoch's plans - echoing Tony Blair's efforts - to break up @hmtreasury are sensible. @GovernSmarter had other ideas worth exploring

[PACAC Committee @CommonsPACAC]

Tomorrow we are questioning @DrMatthewGill @instituteforgov , Alan Cogbill formerly @ConUnit_UCL and @wheatley_martin @GovernSmarter as part of our inquiry into the role of Non-Executive Directors in Government

Tuesday 19th July 10am 📺, https://t.co/YhVn8SeeFe

[IfG events @ifgevents]

Q from @nickherbertcbe: I chaired @GovernSmarter to try and create support for government reform being important. Agree with LS's points about why. My concern tho is we get too deep into the weeds on this - most people aren't that interested. How can we create a movement on this?

[Commission for Smart Government @GovernSmarter]

See our 2021 paper making detailed case for something very similar https://t.co/h5FLjCKr8r

[Commission for Smart Government @GovernSmarter]

Interesting article by @stianwestlake about redestributing @hmtreasury functions to strengthen government https://t.co/H84JG5p7j2

[Stian Westlake @stianwestlake]

The Treasury is perhaps the most impressive and effective department of the British state - that's why we should break it up.

https://t.co/y8apCHTvNQ

[Daniel Korski @DanielKorski]

What I’ve learnt over time:

🟢It’s a good idea to constrict the growth of govt bureaucracy

🔴Govt has inefficiencies galore

❌Serious govt reform is more than staff reductions

😍Productivity requires staff feeling supported

📱Digital change often needs more staff initially

[Daniel Korski @DanielKorski]

Government reform is no longer front of debates but much change is still required for policies to be delivered well. For an an extensive agenda for reform see @GovernSmarter https://t.co/aGzMf31umy

[Commission for Smart Government @GovernSmarter]

The paper mentioned by @nickherbertcbe https://t.co/ZIS0FUz5g7 https://t.co/KKmiromgi8

[IfG events @ifgevents]

NH: At @GovernSmarter we looked at how organisations recruit and train the right people. Not sure if we are spending enough on IDing the right people and bringing them in. Think more needs to be done in talent management to fill capability gaps in the civil service.

[IfG events @ifgevents]

NH: At @GovernSmarter we looked at how organisations recruit and train the right people. Not sure if we are spending enough on IDing the right people and bringing them in. Think more needs to be done in talent management to fill capability gaps in the civil service.

[IfG events @ifgevents]

NH: Agree that there is room for sharper lines of accountability for CS. But ultimately think you cannot escape ministerial accountability. They are the person who has to stand at the despatch box and be held politically accountable for the dept. That is key part of government.

[IfG events @ifgevents]

NH: Unsure about having a previous cabinet secretary on the civil service board - not sure would be welcome for the incumbent. And worry about this embedding small 'c' conservatism in the civil service.

[IfG events @ifgevents]

@GovernSmarter NH: Seems to me that a pre-requisite for a civil service statute is an agreement on what the division of accountability actually should be and what a statutory underpinning would achieve. Not sure we currently have this.

[Commission for Smart Government @GovernSmarter]

Our Chair is on the panel for this event, thank you @instituteforgov for invitation https://t.co/OiZIgLK2Uu

[IfG events @ifgevents]

🚨Starting in 15 minutes!🚨
Join us for a fascinating discussion on the future of the civil service. As we @instituteforgov publish a paper on the topic, we will be pondering whether the civil service needs to be placed on a statutory footing.
Watch live: https://t.co/KvCaDeuycp

[Alex Thomas @AlexGAThomas]

Government reform update - an interesting and, by the standards of these things, commendably honest assessment of progress in a letter from @SteveBarclay published on the @CommonsPACAC website https://t.co/IfaQFkAXpG

[Alex Thomas @AlexGAThomas]

Join us for this discussion on Thurs - where thankfully there will be more of the panel and less of my face. A really interesting group to talk about a new statutory role for the civil service and better policy making @nickherbertcbe @pollymackenzie @margarethodge and Ian Watmore

[Commission for Smart Government @GovernSmarter]

Thank you @instituteforgov for inviting our Chair and Commissioner @nickherbertcbe and @margarethodge to speak at event next week. https://t.co/2wKu7yy1uH

[Institute for Government @instituteforgov]

EVENT: A new statutory role for the civil service?

Join us on Thursday 3 March for our event exploring how to improve civil service accountability and effectiveness, with @nickherbertcbe, Dame Margaret Hodge, @pollymackenzie and Ian Watmore https://t.co/28I2TYRlMT

[Daniel Korski @DanielKorski]

With @BorisJohnson and @SteveBarclay driving reforms at the centre of government I still think @GovernSmarter had the best recommendations for change - in No 10, the Treasury, the Civil Service and much else. Check out the key recommendations here

[Commission for Smart Government @GovernSmarter]

Topic of the day: how to make No10 effective. Take a look at last year's evidence session featuring @jnpowell1, Lady Morgan, Kate Fall and @GavinBarwell https://t.co/yJtZThC87e