28 July 2006
Innovation in Whitehall is seriously lagging behind that in the private sector, the National Audit Office warned this week.
A report produced for the NAO by researchers at the London School of Economics found that, although efforts were being made to overcome the 'deep-rooted culture of risk aversion' across central government, more innovative and progressive approaches were needed.
The researchers asked 85 government bodies for their best examples of innovation. Most of the projects submitted involved improvements to performance management and technological changes.
Many projects were criticised as being too small scale and conservative. The average cost was under £1m and delivery time 28 months.
Examples of effective innovation included a correspondence system at the Department of Health which improved turnaround times, and the Office of Government Commerce's Gateway Review process, generating estimated savings of £730m.
Auditor general Sir John Bourn said: 'Harnessing a new culture isn't easy. We have found many examples of new and worthwhile changes but strong barriers to innovation remain.'
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