This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Public Policy Seminar
30/09/2002
The Executive is leading by example in its drive to
modernise government and improve the quality of people's
lives, Finance and Public Services Minister Andy Kerr said
today.
The Executive is currently taking part in a new approach
to deliver improvements in Government Departments. This
involves the Executive benchmarking itself against external
organisations, taking stock of where a focus on improvement
is most needed, and coming up with a structured plan for
implementing change.
Many of the changes that are taking place have come
about by listening to service deliverers and those on the
front line.
There has been a major investment in public services
through the Scottish Budget for 2003-2006. The commitment
to delivering improvements in public services also means
changing the way things are done. This reform programme is
about making sure that there are modern hospitals, prisons,
roads and railways, schools and economic programmes which
are fit for purpose.
Speaking at the QMW Public Policy Seminar in Edinburgh,
Mr Kerr said:
"The Scottish Executive is committed to making a real
difference to the lives of people of Scotland, by
modernising the public services they use in their everyday
lives.
"In our recent Budget announcement, we set out targets
and are harnessing expertise to meet those targets. This is
part of our drive to secure improved performance across the
public sector. We must get as much as we can out of every
pound we spend.
"The priorities for the Executive, which were reflected
in the Scottish Budget outcome, are in health, in jobs, in
transport, education and in crime. Running through these
are the cross-cutting themes of closing the opportunity gap
and achieving sustainable development. Public services are
the vital lever that we have in each and every one of these
areas which can enable us to make a difference.
"A strong relationship between the Scottish Executive
and its various public service delivery partners has the
potential to deliver real benefits for Scotland and the
people of Scotland.
"Strong leadership from the Scottish Executive will be
vital. We have made a good start but there is a long way to
go but at least we now have the tools to achieve our stated
aims."
Mr Kerr was speaking at one of a series of seminars
being run by QMW Public Policy Seminars of the University
of London.
QMW run two or more seminars a week with Government in
London, Edinburgh and Belfast on a broad range of issues.
QMW's work is steered by an Advisory Board chaired by the
recent Westminster Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards
Elizabeth Filkin, on which Scotland is represented by
Scottish Executive, Permanent Secretary, Sir
Muir Russell.