This document provides an overview of implementation and performance management in the UK government. It discusses the structure of the UK government including the roles of the Prime Minister, Cabinet, and various ministerial departments. It also outlines mechanisms for policy coordination and implementation, including the Implementation Unit and Major Projects Authority. The document reviews efforts around efficiency reform led by the Efficiency and Reform Group, and the government's digital transformation including the GOV.UK website. Finally, it summarizes the Civil Service Reform Plan and its focus on policymaking capability, accountability, skills development, and workforce engagement.

1. Implementation & Performance
Management in the UK Government
Presentation to Italian Government
6 February 2014
David Lamberti
Director of Government Implementation

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Structure of UK Government
Policy Co-ordination
Implementation
Efficiency
Digital Channels
Reform of the Civil Service

3. Structure of UK Government
The UK operates a Cabinet government, with 24 ministerial departments
Prime Minister
Cabinet
Secretary of State
Ministerial Departments
Cabinet Office
Other Govt
Depts
HM Treasury
Other public bodies and
agencies
The Prime Minister as the head of
the UK Government is ultimately
responsible for all policy decisions
There are 24 ministerial departments
as well as over 300 other public
bodies and Agencies.
The Cabinet Office supports the Prime
Minister and Deputy Prime Minister
and ensures the smooth running of
Government
The Treasury sets taxes, spending
and economic policy
These departments are called the
Centre

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Structure of UK Government
Policy Co-ordination
Implementation
Efficiency
Digital Channels
Reform of the Civil Service

5. Policy Co-ordination
To ensure that Cabinet discusses the right things at the right time, the Cabinet
Secretariat co-ordinates formal policy decision-making
The Economic and Domestic Affairs Secretariat is the unit which provides
support to the Prime Minister and Cabinet on the government's economic and
domestic policies by providing policy advice and briefing, working across
government to develop, support and secure collective agreement to domestic
policies
Its key role is:
• Supporting the weekly meetings of Cabinet
• Supporting the work of Cabinet Committees and sub-Committees, and the
collective agreement process across government departments
• Providing policy advice, analysis and briefing to the Prime Minister and
Committee chairs
• Supporting the Joint Ministerial Committee with devolved Ministers and coordinating the Government's relations with the devolved administrations
(Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)
• Overseeing the arrangements to enhance public confidence in statistics
• Advising the Cabinet Secretary and PM on Machinery of Government

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Structure of UK Government
Policy Co-ordination
Implementation
Efficiency
Digital Channels
Reform of the Civil Service

7. Implementation
Governments want to see their policies implemented. There are various
mechanisms to make this happen
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It is a top priority of all Governments to ensure that the things they have
said they will do are implemented in a timely and effective way
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The Implementation Unit within Cabinet Office is responsible for
implementing the PM and DPM‟s top policy priorities, and monitoring and
improving policy implementation across the whole of Government
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The Major Projects Authority was launched in 2011 to improve the
governance and performance of the Government‟s largest projects

8. Implementation Unit
The unit is jointly accountable to the Minister for Government Policy, the Chief Secretary to
the Treasury and, through them, to the PM, DPM and Chancellor of the Exchequer
• The Implementation Unit’s goals are to:
- Provide accurate, timely assessment of the PM / DPM‟s implementation
priorities
- Undertake „deep dive‟ reviews into key policy implementation problems
(with a strong emphasis on front line intelligence)
- Develop greater implementation capability across Whitehall
• The Unit is also responsible for the Government‟s policy performance
framework and accountability for how the Government is performing against its
stated policy goals. This includes ownership of the Departmental Business
Plans, which set out the major policy and implementation priorities each
department has committed to undertake
• The Unit works closely with the No10 Policy Unit, the Deputy Prime Minister‟s
Office, the wider Cabinet Office, HM Treasury and other Departments
• Our forward work programme is developed in collaboration with Departments
and central stakeholders, and is signed off by the PM and DPM

9. Major Projects Authority
The centre of government also conducts assurance of major projects
The Major Projects Authority is a partnership between the Cabinet Office, the
Treasury and Departments
Its role includes:
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Approving integrated assurance and approval plans for each major project
or programme
Carrying out project assurance reviews and ensuring that action is taken to
address any issues raised
Working with departments to build capability in projects and programme
management
Publication of project information and annual reviews provides transparency to
the public. There are currently 191 projects in the MPA portfolio, ranging from
more traditional infrastructure such as high-speed rail, schools and hospitals
through to new benefit payment systems

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Structure of UK Government
Policy Co-ordination
Implementation
Efficiency
Digital Channels
Reform of the Civil Service

11. Efficiency & Reform Group
Efficiency
• Between early 2008 and early 2010 UK Gross Domestic Product shrank
by 5%. In 2009/10 Government spending was nearly 50%1 of GDP. In
May 2010 Britain was forecast to have the highest deficit amongst the
G20
• In response, the Coalition Government set out plans to reduce the
structural deficit, with the main responsibility for deficit reduction borne by
reduced spending rather than increased taxes
• The Efficiency and Reform Group (ERG) was established to implement
this process of reform. Cabinet Office and Treasury work together as a
corporate centre, supporting central government departments to eliminate
waste and inefficient spending whilst investing in and improving front-line
services. Cabinet Office exercise spend controls on behalf of HM
Treasury

12. Efficiency & Reform Group - Savings

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Structure of UK Government
Policy Co-ordination
Implementation
Efficiency
Digital Channels
Reform of the Civil Service

14. Digital Transformation
The way people connect with government is changing
• Twenty years ago, technology was very different. Today, digital services can
harness the power and convenience of the internet to make these interactions
quicker, simpler and more secure
• To help deliver the digital transformation of public information and services we
have created the Government Digital Service (GDS)
• GDS is providing simpler, clearer and faster government information and
services built around user needs, not the needs of government
• We want to make it easier for people to do things like pay their car tax, book
driving tests, complete tax returns, or apply for their state pension online
• GDS through its various programmes will deliver more than £1.1bn in savings
• The average cost of a digital transaction is: 20 x lower than phone; 30 x lower
than postal and 50 x lower than face-to-face

15. Digital Transformation
The GOV.UK website is the best place to find government information and
services
• We want to make services so easy
and convenient that all those who
can use them prefer to do so, and
without any assistance
• Our “digital by default” approach
commits to the redesigning and
rebuilding of 25 exemplar services by
March 2015
• GOV.UK is the new UK Government • The first digital by default exemplar
(Student Loan Company online) saw
website which has been created,
a 142% increase in user satisfaction.
replacing 1700 government websites
• As of December 2013, there has been • Apprenticeship vacancies online
application service (1.38 million
over half a billion visits to the site
transactions a year)
• 30% of people accessed the site via a • Average of 900 applications per week
phone or tablet and 137,000 visits in
made online for Lasting Power of
2013 were made through a PS3
Attorney

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Structure of UK Government
Policy Co-ordination
Implementation
Efficiency
Digital Channels
Reform of the Civil Service

17. Reform of the Civil Service
Rising public expectations coupled with less public spending means the Civil
Service needs to change to meet the long term challenges that all economies are
facing. The Civil Service Reform Plan was published in June 2012 with a
Progress Report published a year later in July 2013
• The Plan focuses on:
• Clarifying the future size and shape of the
Civil Service
• Improving policy making capability
• Implementing policy and sharpening
accountability
• Building capability by strengthening skills,
deploying talent and improving organisational
performance across the Civil Service
• Creating a modern employment offer for staff
that encourages and rewards a productive,
professional and engaged workforce

18. Any questions?
david.lamberti@cabinet-office.gsi.gov.uk