Patrick King
@patrickking.bsky.social
Working in AI policy, ex-think tanker. Views my own.
I think there are small pockets that show that - with the right political buy-in - it’s possible to flex pay and certain aspects of culture/branding (relevant section of report below).
But agreed, question is then how you scale this against enormous resistance to breaking current, uniform approach.
But agreed, question is then how you scale this against enormous resistance to breaking current, uniform approach.
April 7, 2025 at 10:12 AM
I think there are small pockets that show that - with the right political buy-in - it’s possible to flex pay and certain aspects of culture/branding (relevant section of report below).
But agreed, question is then how you scale this against enormous resistance to breaking current, uniform approach.
But agreed, question is then how you scale this against enormous resistance to breaking current, uniform approach.
This is also the right approach: insourcing decision-making relies on building subject specific expertise within departments.
The real prize is taking talent *and* accountability in Whitehall much more seriously - see, e.g., the AI Safety Institute, which remains within DSIT.
The real prize is taking talent *and* accountability in Whitehall much more seriously - see, e.g., the AI Safety Institute, which remains within DSIT.
April 7, 2025 at 7:14 AM
This is also the right approach: insourcing decision-making relies on building subject specific expertise within departments.
The real prize is taking talent *and* accountability in Whitehall much more seriously - see, e.g., the AI Safety Institute, which remains within DSIT.
The real prize is taking talent *and* accountability in Whitehall much more seriously - see, e.g., the AI Safety Institute, which remains within DSIT.
Exactly the logic we @reformthinktank.bsky.social set out as the right justification for arm’s length bodies in our report Quangocracy, last month👇
More thoughts to follow from the team…
More thoughts to follow from the team…
April 7, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Exactly the logic we @reformthinktank.bsky.social set out as the right justification for arm’s length bodies in our report Quangocracy, last month👇
More thoughts to follow from the team…
More thoughts to follow from the team…
colleagues do not approve
March 26, 2025 at 3:19 PM
colleagues do not approve
Petition to bring back serious budget covers
March 26, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Petition to bring back serious budget covers
Had a great time working on this with @floconway.bsky.social and discovering so many incredible examples of primary care innovation already underway
Tomorrow we publish 'Designing a Neighbourhood Health Service' - setting out key design principles and lessons to take away
Tomorrow we publish 'Designing a Neighbourhood Health Service' - setting out key design principles and lessons to take away
March 24, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Had a great time working on this with @floconway.bsky.social and discovering so many incredible examples of primary care innovation already underway
Tomorrow we publish 'Designing a Neighbourhood Health Service' - setting out key design principles and lessons to take away
Tomorrow we publish 'Designing a Neighbourhood Health Service' - setting out key design principles and lessons to take away
Worth reading in full! Below, a full set of recommendations from both papers👇
March 14, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Worth reading in full! Below, a full set of recommendations from both papers👇
A big day in @reformthinktank.bsky.social towers yday as the pipeline from research to visible impact suddenly became very short
As ever, announcing is much easier than implementing. So I wanted to re-share the reports that detail our thinking, to help w/ next steps🧵
As ever, announcing is much easier than implementing. So I wanted to re-share the reports that detail our thinking, to help w/ next steps🧵
March 14, 2025 at 11:39 AM
A big day in @reformthinktank.bsky.social towers yday as the pipeline from research to visible impact suddenly became very short
As ever, announcing is much easier than implementing. So I wanted to re-share the reports that detail our thinking, to help w/ next steps🧵
As ever, announcing is much easier than implementing. So I wanted to re-share the reports that detail our thinking, to help w/ next steps🧵
"You said, we did"
March 13, 2025 at 2:27 PM
"You said, we did"
Today's Civil Service reforms could be the most significant in at least a decade
We know some of what will be announced: on AI, quangos and performance
But what are the other big wins for modernisation?🧵
We know some of what will be announced: on AI, quangos and performance
But what are the other big wins for modernisation?🧵
March 13, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Today's Civil Service reforms could be the most significant in at least a decade
We know some of what will be announced: on AI, quangos and performance
But what are the other big wins for modernisation?🧵
We know some of what will be announced: on AI, quangos and performance
But what are the other big wins for modernisation?🧵
Brilliant to see the PM going big on quangos this week. And to have our report cited in The Times splash about his speech.
Public bodies are responsible for 60% of day-to-day spending.
Fixing how they’re held accountable & overseen by depts is vital for effective delivery👇
Public bodies are responsible for 60% of day-to-day spending.
Fixing how they’re held accountable & overseen by depts is vital for effective delivery👇
March 12, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Brilliant to see the PM going big on quangos this week. And to have our report cited in The Times splash about his speech.
Public bodies are responsible for 60% of day-to-day spending.
Fixing how they’re held accountable & overseen by depts is vital for effective delivery👇
Public bodies are responsible for 60% of day-to-day spending.
Fixing how they’re held accountable & overseen by depts is vital for effective delivery👇
Finally, the numbers question. This is less 'bonfire of the quangos' and more: how do you focus limited resource on public bodies that need the most oversight.
It's why we recommend classifying public bodies based on which need independence, at arm's-length, to perform their function:
It's why we recommend classifying public bodies based on which need independence, at arm's-length, to perform their function:
March 3, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Finally, the numbers question. This is less 'bonfire of the quangos' and more: how do you focus limited resource on public bodies that need the most oversight.
It's why we recommend classifying public bodies based on which need independence, at arm's-length, to perform their function:
It's why we recommend classifying public bodies based on which need independence, at arm's-length, to perform their function:
3️⃣Parliamentary accountability.
This isn't just about Whitehall process. Parliament must step up & take an interest.
E.g. It's rare for select committees to dedicate inquiries to public bodies' performance and reviews don't trigger parliamentary scrutiny.
We recommend:
This isn't just about Whitehall process. Parliament must step up & take an interest.
E.g. It's rare for select committees to dedicate inquiries to public bodies' performance and reviews don't trigger parliamentary scrutiny.
We recommend:
March 3, 2025 at 6:48 PM
3️⃣Parliamentary accountability.
This isn't just about Whitehall process. Parliament must step up & take an interest.
E.g. It's rare for select committees to dedicate inquiries to public bodies' performance and reviews don't trigger parliamentary scrutiny.
We recommend:
This isn't just about Whitehall process. Parliament must step up & take an interest.
E.g. It's rare for select committees to dedicate inquiries to public bodies' performance and reviews don't trigger parliamentary scrutiny.
We recommend:
2️⃣ Public body reviews
These could be a valuable way of getting insight into performance.
Unfortunately, they cover a narrow sweep of the landscape (<10% a year) & vary hugely in quality.
Since review teams are provided by depts, we also heard of serious conflicts of interest:
These could be a valuable way of getting insight into performance.
Unfortunately, they cover a narrow sweep of the landscape (<10% a year) & vary hugely in quality.
Since review teams are provided by depts, we also heard of serious conflicts of interest:
March 3, 2025 at 6:48 PM
2️⃣ Public body reviews
These could be a valuable way of getting insight into performance.
Unfortunately, they cover a narrow sweep of the landscape (<10% a year) & vary hugely in quality.
Since review teams are provided by depts, we also heard of serious conflicts of interest:
These could be a valuable way of getting insight into performance.
Unfortunately, they cover a narrow sweep of the landscape (<10% a year) & vary hugely in quality.
Since review teams are provided by depts, we also heard of serious conflicts of interest:
Moreover, these staff are generally very junior and lack specialist skills to support oversight.
An excerpt from @thetimes.com coverage of the report:
An excerpt from @thetimes.com coverage of the report:
March 3, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Moreover, these staff are generally very junior and lack specialist skills to support oversight.
An excerpt from @thetimes.com coverage of the report:
An excerpt from @thetimes.com coverage of the report:
1️⃣Sponsorship
There are only about 250 officials in sponsorship teams responsible for facilitating the accountability and performance of bodies that spend billions of £s and together employ 390,000 staff.
There are only about 250 officials in sponsorship teams responsible for facilitating the accountability and performance of bodies that spend billions of £s and together employ 390,000 staff.
March 3, 2025 at 6:48 PM
1️⃣Sponsorship
There are only about 250 officials in sponsorship teams responsible for facilitating the accountability and performance of bodies that spend billions of £s and together employ 390,000 staff.
There are only about 250 officials in sponsorship teams responsible for facilitating the accountability and performance of bodies that spend billions of £s and together employ 390,000 staff.
Where next?
Despite a lack of clarity around when public bodies should be created & when they add value, government is committed to the creation of new bodies.
From Skills England to a National Wealth Fund, they're banking on them to help achieve their five missions.
Despite a lack of clarity around when public bodies should be created & when they add value, government is committed to the creation of new bodies.
From Skills England to a National Wealth Fund, they're banking on them to help achieve their five missions.
March 3, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Where next?
Despite a lack of clarity around when public bodies should be created & when they add value, government is committed to the creation of new bodies.
From Skills England to a National Wealth Fund, they're banking on them to help achieve their five missions.
Despite a lack of clarity around when public bodies should be created & when they add value, government is committed to the creation of new bodies.
From Skills England to a National Wealth Fund, they're banking on them to help achieve their five missions.
Isn't there a process to stop this? Yes and no.
The Cabinet Office has three 'tests' for new public bodies (which officials told us are "meaningless" in practice).
Departments regularly retrofit the tests around decisions that have already been taken to set up new bodies👇
The Cabinet Office has three 'tests' for new public bodies (which officials told us are "meaningless" in practice).
Departments regularly retrofit the tests around decisions that have already been taken to set up new bodies👇
March 3, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Isn't there a process to stop this? Yes and no.
The Cabinet Office has three 'tests' for new public bodies (which officials told us are "meaningless" in practice).
Departments regularly retrofit the tests around decisions that have already been taken to set up new bodies👇
The Cabinet Office has three 'tests' for new public bodies (which officials told us are "meaningless" in practice).
Departments regularly retrofit the tests around decisions that have already been taken to set up new bodies👇
Civil service reform has a tendency to focus on policy & a proportionately small number employed in SW1.
If the PM is serious about rewiring the State, he must also focus on the 60% of day-to-day spending through public bodies.
A quick🧵on our report Quangocracy, from last week
If the PM is serious about rewiring the State, he must also focus on the 60% of day-to-day spending through public bodies.
A quick🧵on our report Quangocracy, from last week
March 3, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Civil service reform has a tendency to focus on policy & a proportionately small number employed in SW1.
If the PM is serious about rewiring the State, he must also focus on the 60% of day-to-day spending through public bodies.
A quick🧵on our report Quangocracy, from last week
If the PM is serious about rewiring the State, he must also focus on the 60% of day-to-day spending through public bodies.
A quick🧵on our report Quangocracy, from last week
Very excited for this to be out tomorrow 👀🔥
February 26, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Very excited for this to be out tomorrow 👀🔥
The new Cab Sec is committed to "rewiring the State"
This is a much broader Q than what happens in SW1 & how policy is made
We @reformthinktank.bsky.social are interested in improving the notoriously complex ALB landscape, e.g. below
If you're a public servant, we want to hear from you!👇
This is a much broader Q than what happens in SW1 & how policy is made
We @reformthinktank.bsky.social are interested in improving the notoriously complex ALB landscape, e.g. below
If you're a public servant, we want to hear from you!👇
January 27, 2025 at 10:54 AM
The new Cab Sec is committed to "rewiring the State"
This is a much broader Q than what happens in SW1 & how policy is made
We @reformthinktank.bsky.social are interested in improving the notoriously complex ALB landscape, e.g. below
If you're a public servant, we want to hear from you!👇
This is a much broader Q than what happens in SW1 & how policy is made
We @reformthinktank.bsky.social are interested in improving the notoriously complex ALB landscape, e.g. below
If you're a public servant, we want to hear from you!👇
Great to have my report Efficiency Mindset quoted in @theguardian.com morning briefing yesterday.
Efficiency will never be optimised in a single fiscal event or through a blanket % target across depts.
It must be intentionally embedded in the incentives and structures of Whitehall.
Efficiency will never be optimised in a single fiscal event or through a blanket % target across depts.
It must be intentionally embedded in the incentives and structures of Whitehall.
December 12, 2024 at 10:50 AM
Great to have my report Efficiency Mindset quoted in @theguardian.com morning briefing yesterday.
Efficiency will never be optimised in a single fiscal event or through a blanket % target across depts.
It must be intentionally embedded in the incentives and structures of Whitehall.
Efficiency will never be optimised in a single fiscal event or through a blanket % target across depts.
It must be intentionally embedded in the incentives and structures of Whitehall.
Feels a bit like trying to ride two horses at once.
As we argued earlier this year, for missions to succeed, they shouldn't shy away from setting unusually ambitious targets & taking risks 👇
As we argued earlier this year, for missions to succeed, they shouldn't shy away from setting unusually ambitious targets & taking risks 👇
December 5, 2024 at 12:55 PM
Feels a bit like trying to ride two horses at once.
As we argued earlier this year, for missions to succeed, they shouldn't shy away from setting unusually ambitious targets & taking risks 👇
As we argued earlier this year, for missions to succeed, they shouldn't shy away from setting unusually ambitious targets & taking risks 👇
3️⃣Hard skills
We heard that the taught component of the Fast Stream focuses too much on abstract management competencies over hard-edged skills.
There should be a core curriculum - that sets a high bar for expertise - & is required to graduate from each scheme. Described below
We heard that the taught component of the Fast Stream focuses too much on abstract management competencies over hard-edged skills.
There should be a core curriculum - that sets a high bar for expertise - & is required to graduate from each scheme. Described below
December 4, 2024 at 2:47 PM
3️⃣Hard skills
We heard that the taught component of the Fast Stream focuses too much on abstract management competencies over hard-edged skills.
There should be a core curriculum - that sets a high bar for expertise - & is required to graduate from each scheme. Described below
We heard that the taught component of the Fast Stream focuses too much on abstract management competencies over hard-edged skills.
There should be a core curriculum - that sets a high bar for expertise - & is required to graduate from each scheme. Described below
2️⃣Mentorship
Post-Fast Stream support is pretty thin.
Yet we know that tailored career guidance, advice & managed moves are a key way people reach the top in Whitehall (per excellent work of @samfriedman.bsky.social).
There should be a formal mentorship offer, with SCS sponsorship👇
Post-Fast Stream support is pretty thin.
Yet we know that tailored career guidance, advice & managed moves are a key way people reach the top in Whitehall (per excellent work of @samfriedman.bsky.social).
There should be a formal mentorship offer, with SCS sponsorship👇
December 4, 2024 at 2:47 PM
2️⃣Mentorship
Post-Fast Stream support is pretty thin.
Yet we know that tailored career guidance, advice & managed moves are a key way people reach the top in Whitehall (per excellent work of @samfriedman.bsky.social).
There should be a formal mentorship offer, with SCS sponsorship👇
Post-Fast Stream support is pretty thin.
Yet we know that tailored career guidance, advice & managed moves are a key way people reach the top in Whitehall (per excellent work of @samfriedman.bsky.social).
There should be a formal mentorship offer, with SCS sponsorship👇