‘Improving public sector performance’

STRONG leadership, clear communication and engaged people are the key elements to implementing change in the public sector, a British expert has said.

Dr. Gill Rider, former Head of the UK Civil Service HR within the Cabinet Office was addressing a seminar in Cyprus on Improving Public Sector Performance, which was organised by the Cyprus Institute of International Management and the British High Commission.

The UK Civil Services employs 471,000 people and has an annual wage bill of over 16 billion British pounds. 

Rider, while outlining the economic drivers and impetus, which led to the ongoing reform of the UK Home Civil Service, told the audience that in response to the Global Financial Crisis the Comprehensive Spending Review tasked the Government with cutting its budget by 83 billion Pounds by 2014-2015. 

She went to say that that key driver of change was The Efficiency and Reform Group (ERG), established in Cabinet Office to look at improving departmental efficiency. “The ERG agenda has saved 3.75 billion pounds this year so far,” said Rider, “with evidence to expect 15 billion savings to come”.

On the sensitive subject of civil service pay, Rider said that the civil service was looking to develop a more structured approach to, and understanding of “total reward”, which she called “the deal”.

This means that pay is just one element of the deal – along with learning and development, benefits and work environment, Rider added. She said that pay should recognise performance, reflect the nature of the work and be affordable. 

“There is never a good or easy time to implement change” Rider acknowledged.

She said however, that for change to be successful, a clear strategy that brings people along with it and makes them part of the success was necessary.