Reconfigured spend controls should be a key part of driving work on restructuring learning and development across government. Compliance It is essential that there is clarity about the role of the central functions in all of these tasks, and I deal with each in turn in this section. The central functions must have a strong mandate on all of these tasks, but with considerable discretion on how they exercise that mandate. It simply doesn’t work to try to design the perfectly balanced one-size-fits-all model. Two departments are not currently served by GLD: HMRC and the FCO. In relation to HMRC, most of their lawyers are tax specialists, and these are skills that are not really needed elsewhere in government. There is however a need for international law expertise in many parts of government, and it could be beneficial for FCDO to join GLD, where this expertise can be made available in an integrated way. I recommend:

Consideration be given to creating a “license to operate” model, with a skills passport for every civil servant. The data should follow a template set out by the IPA to ensure departments are recording all the necessary information, and provide consistency between departmental records.

The Kindest Cut of All

The Chief People Officer should set in train an assessment and accreditation programme to increase the capability and cohesiveness of the function across government. Shredders traditionally were strip-cut, also known as ribbon-cut, models that shredded the paper into thin strips. Although it would require patience, it would be possible to reconstruct the strips into a legible document. There are three stages in any procurement. First comes pre-tender market engagement, when commercial experts engage in a knowledgeable and confident way with potential suppliers to scope out the best way for the procurement to be structured and the specification to be drafted. Then comes the formal tender process following which a contract is awarded. The third stage is the effective management of the contract. In 2010 it was clear that there was inadequate capacity to undertake the first stage with confidence. All the focus was the second stage which was often extremely protracted and expensive both for the procuring department and for bidders (and therefore in turn for the department, through higher prices to compensate for the cost of the tender).

This review was invaluable in confirming both the scope for and the benefits to be had from moving towards a much stronger functional model.It was a transparent way for the government to hold itself to account for improving efficiency; and To pass through any stage gates, projects should have a competent Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) in place, with a signed appointment letter, a commitment to the required training, and a deliverable span of work agreed with the IPA. Which?’s in-depth lab testing can single out the very best shredders, but if you're shopping around there are some things you need to bear in mind to help make the right choice. Strip-cut vs cross-cut vs micro-cut shredders