07 April 2006
The Treasury and the National School of Government are to launch an e-learning training programme to boost financial management skills across Whitehall.
The programme, developed under the Professional Skills for Government initiative, has been designed to allow personalised learning and will be available online. Civil servants in all ministries will be eligible to sign up.
The initiative reflects a recognition within government that many senior civil servants do not have the necessary specialist financial skills to operate in an increasingly commercial environment.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Mary Keegan, head of the Government Accountancy Service, said: 'Government spends £500bn annually and owns some £700bn in assets. To meet priorities, we need to embed a culture of managing by numbers.'
PSG, launched by former Cabinet secretary Sir Andrew Turnbull, is a far-reaching programme intended to equip Whitehall with the skills required to deliver more efficient and effective public services.
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