HC Deb 19 July 2001 vol 372 cc317-8W
Ms Shipley

To ask the Prime Minister what additional projects are planned for the Performance and Innovation Unit; and if he will make a statement. [6182]

The Prime Minister

I have asked the Performance and Innovation Unit to undertake a further project looking at how to improve the Government's management of risk.

Effective management of a wide range of risks is essential both for the delivery of improved public services and for the achievement of the Government's wider goals.

The project will identify best practice in decision-making on risks and the best methods for promoting this within public services. The work will build on some of the steps that have already been taken to address the concerns raised by the Phillips Inquiry into BSE about the handling of risk and uncertainty across Government. The project will look at communications with the public and also at approaches to risk where some of the responsibility may fall to the private and voluntary sectors or to individuals.

The PIU will complete its work early next year.

The Minister of State, Cabinet Office will be the Sponsor Minister.