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DFID tops government league list Top government departments listed
(about 16 hours later)
The Department for International Development has topped a league table of government departments.The Department for International Development has topped a league table of government departments.
Twelve departments have had "capability reviews", with the Home Office - which is facing an overhaul after a series of crisis - remaining bottom of the pile.Twelve departments have had "capability reviews", with the Home Office - which is facing an overhaul after a series of crisis - remaining bottom of the pile.
Civil service boss Sir Gus O'Donnell said Whitehall must work "better and more flexibly" across departments, if they were to meet "delivery goals".Civil service boss Sir Gus O'Donnell said Whitehall must work "better and more flexibly" across departments, if they were to meet "delivery goals".
The review ratings are part of efforts to drive up performance.The review ratings are part of efforts to drive up performance.
The latest departments to be reviewed were the Department for International Development (DFID), the Foreign Office, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The latest departments to be reviewed were the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Department for International Development (DFID), the Foreign Office, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
'Strong' leadership'Strong' leadership
By the summer Sir Gus expects to have published 15 reports, covering nearly 80% of the civil service.By the summer Sir Gus expects to have published 15 reports, covering nearly 80% of the civil service.
The review was launched by Sir Gus last year, as part of Mr Blair's effort to improve the delivery of public services.The review was launched by Sir Gus last year, as part of Mr Blair's effort to improve the delivery of public services.
Each department is ranked on abilities under three main headings: leadership, strategy and delivery.Each department is ranked on abilities under three main headings: leadership, strategy and delivery.
In the latest round of reviews, DFID was the only department to be judged "strong" in any area - in its case under two leadership categories. In the latest round of reviews, the MoD and DFID were the only departments to be judged "strong" in any area - the MOD in a "strategic"category and DFID in two "leadership" categories.
The report found it was a "very successful department with a great deal to be proud of" - although two categories - under strategy and delivery, were marked as in need of "urgent development". The report found DFID was a "very successful department with a great deal to be proud of" - although two categories - under strategy and delivery, were marked as in need of "urgent development".
'Somewhat insular''Somewhat insular'
Of the other departments reviewed most recently, none of them gave cause for "serious concern" although all had at least two "urgent development areas".Of the other departments reviewed most recently, none of them gave cause for "serious concern" although all had at least two "urgent development areas".
Defra was praised for its "clearly articulated business model", but told to "address urgently its management of organisational performance".Defra was praised for its "clearly articulated business model", but told to "address urgently its management of organisational performance".
The DCMS was congratulated for its "evidence-based decision-making" and "effective engagement" with ministers - but told to restructure and develop a more "robust, risk-based approach".The DCMS was congratulated for its "evidence-based decision-making" and "effective engagement" with ministers - but told to restructure and develop a more "robust, risk-based approach".
The Ministry of Defence was described as "universally highly regarded" but sometimes seen as "somewhat insular" and was told to be more assertive in shaping "cross-government agendas". The MoD was described as "universally highly regarded" but sometimes seen as "somewhat insular" and was told to be more assertive in shaping "cross-government agendas".
And the Foreign Office was praised for its "inspiring leaders" and "high calibre of staff" - but told its business planning and resource allocation was "weak".And the Foreign Office was praised for its "inspiring leaders" and "high calibre of staff" - but told its business planning and resource allocation was "weak".
The review, based loosely on the comprehensive performance assessment to which local councils are subjected, examines civil servants' skills and leadership capabilities.The review, based loosely on the comprehensive performance assessment to which local councils are subjected, examines civil servants' skills and leadership capabilities.
Sir Gus said meeting the objectives contained in the reviews would be part of the performance system which affected how the top civil servants in each department were paid.Sir Gus said meeting the objectives contained in the reviews would be part of the performance system which affected how the top civil servants in each department were paid.
The Home Office is still bottom of the list - it was one of the first departments to undergo the review last year, after which Home Secretary John Reid announced plans to overhaul the department.The Home Office is still bottom of the list - it was one of the first departments to undergo the review last year, after which Home Secretary John Reid announced plans to overhaul the department.