Committee publication · Special Report · 4 April 2025 · HC 846
1st Special Report - Promoting national strategy: How select committee scrutiny can improve strategic thinking in Whitehall: Government response
Summary
This is the Government's response to the Liaison Committee's May 2024 report on improving strategic thinking in Whitehall through select committee scrutiny. The Government accepts most recommendations, detailing actions on strategy definition, civil service training, and the new Mission Delivery Unit, but resists establishing a dedicated Committee on National Strategic Priorities, arguing existing committees sufficiently scrutinise departmental strategy.
Key findings
- Government has adopted a working definition of strategy: 'the coherent mobilisation of capabilities, levers, resources and partnerships towards successfully achieving public policy outcomes'
- The National School of Government (closed 2012) will not be reinstated; instead, strategy will be embedded in core civil service curriculum and on-demand minister training continues
- Mission Delivery Unit established under Clara Swinson (Second Permanent Secretary) and Sir Michael Barber (PM's Adviser on Effective Delivery) to break departmental silos and pursue five government missions
- Government rejects proposal for a Committee on National Strategic Priorities, asserting existing select committees adequately scrutinise departmental strategy and inter-departmental collaboration
- Lucy Smith appointed as third Heywood Fellow at Blavatnik School of Government to examine long-term government strategy
Government position
The Government partially accepts the Committee's recommendations. It welcomes scrutiny of strategic thinking and has embedded strategy capability across the Civil Service through the Policy Profession and core curriculum. However, it declines to reinstate the National School of Government, instead building training into existing structures. Crucially, it rejects the proposal for a new Committee on National Strategic Priorities, arguing that existing select committees already provide adequate cross-departmental and strategic scrutiny. The Government emphasises its Plan for Change and Mission Delivery Unit as the vehicles for delivering long-term strategy.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Keir Starmer (Prime Minister), Liaison Committee, Clara Swinson (Second Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office; Head of Mission Delivery Unit), Sir Michael Barber (PM's Adviser on Effective Delivery), Lucy Smith (Heywood Fellow, Blavatnik School of Government), Civil Service Policy Profession, Government People Group, Cabinet Office
Notable line
“Strategy in government is the coherent mobilisation of capabilities, levers, resources and partnerships towards successfully achieving public policy outcomes .”
Key Quotes
“Strategic thinking is at the heart of how the Government operates. That is why we have set out a clear vision for a Government of Service in the Plan for Change.”
“Strategy in government is the coherent mobilisation of capabilities, levers, resources and partnerships towards successfully achieving public policy outcomes .”
“By breaking down departmental silos and focusing on delivering the missions, we will instil a culture of 'mission first, not department first' for spending in key areas such as research and development and procurement.”
“… the Government is not convinced that the establishment of a Committee on National Strategic Priorities (or a "Committee of the Future") is required.”
“Existing select committees have an established role in scrutinising the strategic priorities of relevant departments as part of their work, allowing a broad range of scrutiny across the House.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗