No cuts to policy advice spending realistic, says PSA

The fact that the Treasury report, released today, on policy advice spending recommends no cuts to policy advice spending is realistic, says the PSA, the public sector union.

“As the report acknowledges, policy advice is a core part of what the public service does, so any cuts to an already under resourced area would have been counterproductive,” says Brenda Pilott, PSA National Secretary.

“It is no surprise, either, that the report finds policy advice varies widely and improvements can be made. That’s a direct result of the fragmentation of the public service and continual cuts in staffing and resources. The Government needs to be aware that constant restructuring causes the loss of institutional knowledge and capability.”

“We’re pleased to note that the report took on board recommendations in the PSA submission to better manage, streamline and align policy advice and adopt more of a ‘whole of government” approach,” says Brenda Pilott.

“Our members would endorse the findings that policy advice is not generally well managed. We are pleased that this issue is being addressed.”

“ Clearly there’s a mismatch between what Ministers want and what the current policy system can deliver. Proposals to sustain capability and improve policy advice management and leadership should help rectify this situation.”

“The recommendation, however, that in future Treasury should review all policy advice spending to seek savings of 2% suggests that the Government still hasn’t got the message that, as with most things, you get what you pay for. In fact, in all except one agency, policy advice spending has declined in real terms over the last five years.”

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