Mike Yuille 23 April 2018

Report scathing on public sector accountability

Britain’s system of public sector accountability is failing to keep up with the realities of modern government, a think-tank has warned.

In a report published this week, the Institute for Government (IfG) cautioned that ‘weak accountability increases the risk of failure of public services – whether through financial mismanagement, chronic underperformance or the collapse of services’.

The report found patterns of failure occurring repeatedly.

Typically, this involved ministers and civil servants blaming each other when things go wrong, limiting the chances of lessons being learned.

Examples of this include the rollout of Universal Credit and, most recently, the Grenfell Tower blaze and Windrush immigration scandal.

Even when ministers are clearly at fault, many are not held to account, the think-tank said.

IfG researcher, Benoit Guerin, said: ‘A lack of accountability is worrying because it increases the risk of failure and decreases legitimacy of the state in the eyes of the public.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay Award Pending)
Do you want to work in an ambitious Local Authority with strong leadership and partnership commitment to Children’s Services? Durham County Council a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

SENDIASS Support Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
An exciting and rewarding opportunity has arisen within the busy and fast paced SEND Information, Advice, Support Service (SENDIASS). The service has Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Residential Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Leader

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Class Teacher

Durham County Council
£31,650- £33,483
Class Teacher MPS 1 -2   £31,650- £33,483 Temporary – required from Monday 1st September 2025 (subject to DBS) until 31st August 2026 25 hours per wee Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner