Public Sector Productivity Programme 2024-05-07
2024-05-07
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The effectiveness of the Public Sector Productivity Programme is under scrutiny.
If he will use outcome evaluations to assess the effectiveness of the Public Sector Productivity Programme. The programme aims to improve efficiency in public services with a £4.2 billion funding announcement in the Budget.
Improving public sector productivity is a major focus for this Government, which is why I announced £4.2 billion of funding to make our public services more efficient in the Budget.
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Assessment & feedback
Outcome evaluations were not specifically mentioned as part of assessing effectiveness
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The effectiveness of the What Works programme in improving public service productivity is being questioned.
Using the evaluation task force and the What Works centres to systematically cut out ineffectual treatments and replace them with ones that work better could improve other public services, including back to work programmes, prisoner rehabilitation, and early interventions for supported families. Can he urge his department to utilise these resources?
My hon. Friend is right to talk about the What Works programme, which has delivered more than 500 trials and is recognised internationally. There are some very good example in the NHS of what is working, including the NHS app. That is now used by 75% of NHS patients—including 17,000 over-90s, so let no one assume that older people are not internet savvy.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address urging use of What Works centres for productivity improvement in other sectors
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Some £8.7 billion was wasted on defective PPE during the pandemic, and companies associated with the Conservative party benefited from fast-tracked contracts.
What is the Chancellor doing to get public money back from those people who sold that defective equipment to the NHS? Does it not just show that we cannot trust the Tories with public money?
What it shows is that we took very difficult decisions in the pandemic to speed up access to PPE for frontline workers, who were literally dying at the time—but there should be no hiding place whatsoever for anyone who commits fraud on taxpayers, which is why there have been over 100 arrests.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address what actions are being taken to recover funds
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
There is still £1 billion worth of unresolved PPE contracts, and only one company faces legal action.
Why are the Government not taking legal action against the other companies that have not delivered on their contract with members of the public?
Let me be clear: there is absolutely no hiding place for anyone, whether they are connected to the Conservative party, the Labour Party or any other party. If they have defrauded the taxpayer, we will go after them.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific actions taken against non-delivering companies
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The Government is pursuing legal action against companies that have not delivered on their PPE contracts, but the names of these companies are not being disclosed.
If there is no hiding place, why would the Chancellor not name them today?
Because we are taking legal action, and as the hon. Gentleman knows full well, when we take legal action, that information belongs to the police.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide reasons for withholding names beyond stating it belongs to the police
Response accuracy