During the 1990s and early 2000s, the UK government relied heavily on target setting to manage the public sector. We had: Targets for education Targets for Healthcare Targets for policing Targets for fire brigades Targets for the tax office Targets for dustbin men No doubt we had targets for the target setters as well. UK […]
Step 4(b)
The UK government worries about unemployment Unemployment is generally agreed to be a good thing for governments to worry about. There is an argument that employed people are happier There is an argument that employed people will vote for you There is an argument that employed people pay more taxes Either which way, if you are […]
Can You Really Cut The Red Tape?
The motorway from Nottingham to London is the most tedious and dreary road in the world. There is nothing to look at except 1960’s concrete bridges and road signs. Perfect for a grey October day. Its only saving grace is that it is flat, straight and fast. So you don’t really have to spend much […]
How to Deal with Customer Complaints
The Highways Agency (the people responsible for the state of the UK’s roads) have announced a plan to save money. You can read about it here. Currently if a member of the public complains about a pot hole on a major road the Highways Agency are duty bound to repair it (throw on a couple […]
Star Chamber
George Osborne is to create a “Star Chamber” as part of his attempts to cut government spending. It will be a committee of senior civil servants and politicians. Ministers are invited to present their budgets to them for discussion. If a minister gains the Star Chamber’s approval he can join the committee to “discuss” other […]