18 February 2000
She will focus on the government's spending plans for 2001/04 where new funding for departments will be tied to the attainment of tough service-delivery targets in health and elsewhere.
It is rare for the Treasury to appoint a senior person from outside the ranks of the career civil service. The salary band for the three-year post is £61,000 to £98,000.
De Groot, 48, will deal with a wide range of issues, from education, housing and urban policy to social exclusion and foreign affairs.
Following the recent creation of Service Delivery Agreements, there will be particular emphasis on cross-department programmes.
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