HC Deb 25 June 2001 vol 370 cc38-9W
Mrs. Lawrence

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to repeat cross-departmental reviews as part of the 2002 Spending Review. [1063]

Mr. Andrew Smith

The 2002 Spending Review will roll forward existing spending plans and set budgets and outcome targets for Departments up to 2005–06. The aim of the Review will be to determine how best Departments' programmes can contribute to the Government's priorities of:

  • delivery of high quality, efficient and responsive public services;
  • raising productivity, in the public sector and outside, through improved skills, research and infrastructure;
  • spreading opportunity and prosperity more widely, and tackling child poverty and social exclusion;
  • improving the quality of life in both urban and rural areas; and
  • securing a modern international role for Britain through co-operation with our European and international partners.

The Review will conclude by the summer of 2002.

The Review will take a thorough look at all programmes to ensure that the new plans fully reflect the Government's priorities and the scope for greater efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.

The Review will include a number of cross-departmental studies, to look systematically at issues that cut across departmental boundaries. The initial cross cutting reviews will cover:

  1. (a) children at risk: this review will establish the key outcome targets for children's services, including the effectiveness of the current interventions in reducing the risks of young people turning to crime, and identify the main obstacles to meeting those targets.
  2. (b) public sector labour market: a study of recruitment and retention across the public services. The review will focus on staff requirements in the light of overall labour market trends, the effectiveness of the initiatives already introduced and implications for future policy.
  3. (c) improving the public space: this review will build on the Prime Minister's work on "liveability", to improve local quality of life including safety, convenience and attractiveness of local streets and amenities.
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  4. (d) small business support: a review to assess Government services for small business, including information, advice, financial support, ease of access and delivery of service where small businesses need to interact with Government.
  5. (e) science and research: a review of funding of the UK science base and the effectiveness of Departments' own science and research programmes to ensure that they deliver maximum long-term benefits to the economy and quality of life.
  6. (f) health inequalities: this study will analyse the impact on health of poverty, employment, education, crime, transport, fuel poverty and related factors, and assess and improve the mechanisms for tackling these problems.
  7. (g) role of the voluntary sector in public service delivery: a review to analyse the current contribution of the voluntary sector in service delivery, the necessary instruments to improve this contribution, and possibilities for improving the range and quality of services offered by the voluntary sector.

Further cross cutting work on other subjects will be carried out at a later stage in the Review.

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