Is Whitehall Fit For Purpose? An Analysis of the Capability Reviews

Article

How good is Whitehall at delivery? Analysing data published as part of the Departmental Capability Reviews, IPPR research shows that despite the strong emphasis placed on 'delivery' by the Blair governments, key Whitehall public service delivery departments continue to under-perform in this vital area. Of the six departments assessed in this paper four were found to have significant weaknesses in terms of their ability to deliver effectively. In short, Whitehall has a long way to go if it is to improve its capacity to deliver public services.

How good is Whitehall at delivery? Analysing data published as part of the Departmental Capability Reviews, ippr research shows that despite the strong emphasis placed on 'delivery' by the Blair governments, key Whitehall public service delivery departments continue to under-perform in this vital area. Of the six departments assessed in this paper four were found to have significant weaknesses in terms of their ability to deliver effectively. In short, Whitehall has a long way to go if it is to improve its capacity to deliver public services.

Related items

  1. A photo of police officer and a community support officer walking down a quiet street in Kent

    The legitimacy trap

    Why a more active state needs better statecraft.
  2. A photograph from below of the grand Manchester town hall building on a sunny day against a blue sky

    On home ground: The future of devolution

    Andy Burnham has pledged to deliver “the biggest rebalancing of power the country has ever seen”. The key task for the new government is putting this into action.
  3. A photo of a family walking along a residential street: a dad holds a toddler in his arms with a son and daughter on either side of him

    The first 100 days: A blueprint for renewal

    The choices that the new prime minister, Andy Burnham, makes in the first 100 days must demonstrate that he is on the side of ordinary people.