§ Mr. PaiceTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the progress of the next steps initiative.
§ Mr. WaldegraveNext steps is progressing well. More than half the civil service is now working on next steps lines and next steps is delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, productivity and value for money.
229WThe Government today published the third annual review of next steps agencies (Cm 2111). The annual review brings together information on all 76 established agencies, together with the 30 executive units of Customs and Excise and the 34 executive offices of Inland Revenue. The review shows performance against targets in 1991–92 and lists key targets for 1992–93. It shows that agencies have continued to perform well and have met three out of four of their targets in the last year. It gives many examples of the ways in which agencies are providing the better service to the public which is at the heart of the citizens charter and describes the many improvements which have been brought about for the benefit of taxpayers and staff.