How will the Government achieve its missions? MPs launch new inquiry

This inquiry will be the first in a series looking at the various challenges which face the Civil Service when trying to deliver the Government’s agenda at a time of varied domestic and global pressures.  

The Government have set themselves five “missions”: growing the economy, an NHS fit for the future, safer streets, opportunity for all, and making Britain a clean energy superpower. Each mission has measurable milestones, including ending hospital backlogs and building 1.5 million homes in England.  

Cabinet Secretary, Sir Chris Wormald, told the Committee a mission-led government will help civil servants utilise a “problem solving mentality” and break down departmental silos. However, there has so far been little structural change to bring this to fruition.  

The inquiry will examine the extent to which departments and public bodies are equipped to achieve these missions, including how effectively they are set up to work on cross-cutting policy areas. The Committee will also investigate how the missions’ delivery is likely to be funded amid a context of tight public finances. 

MPs are also likely to explore the impact of a ‘test and learn’ approach and how the Government plans to encourage this process. 

Chair comment

Chair of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Simon Hoare MP, said:  

“All good Governments set themselves ambitious, achievable tasks which push the capabilities of their ministers and civil servants. The success of the ‘missions’ will rely on effective cross-departmental working and a culture which encourages civil servants to take risks and learn. If they fail to do this, they will soon find themselves with a legacy of broken promises.  

“This Government has staked its reputation on delivering the missions but, as with all governments, they will have to find a way to pull the right levers in departments. By putting catchy sloganeering to one side, this Committee intends to shine a light on how these will actually be delivered in practice. 

“This inquiry is the first part of a broader piece of work on how the Civil Service will deliver the ‘change’ so often quoted by senior ministers. If we are to take these claims seriously, it’s important to understand how civil servants will be mobilised in this work.”

Terms of reference

The Committee invites written evidence answering any of the following questions:  

• What are the key components of mission government? What changes have been made to the operation of government to facilitate mission government and are these sufficient to successively deliver it? Is enough being done to ensure consistent prioritisation of missions across departments? How are they being held to account for progress? Is a change to the way money is allocated needed to ensure sufficient priority is given to the missions? 
• What measures are being used to mobilise other devolved governments, public bodies, local government, and the private and voluntary sectors in delivering missions and are these sufficient? 
• The Government has advocated a ‘test and learn’ approach to policy as part of its missions approach. What is being done to encourage this and what are the potential obstacles to its successful adoption? 
• What lessons can be learnt from other jurisdictions’ experience with mission approaches to governing? 

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

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