HL Deb 23 July 2001 vol 626 cc170-1WA
Baroness Massey of Darwen

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What additional projects are planned for the Performance and Innovation Unit. [HL517]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The Prime Minister has 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 Performance and Innovation Unit will complete its work early next year.

Barbara Roche MP, Minister of State in the Cabinet Office, will be the sponsor Minister.