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CROSS-CUTTING REVIEW OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR LABOUR MARKET

On 25 June 2001, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Andrew Smith, announced a review of the public sector labour market, as one of the seven initial cross-cutting reviews that will contribute to the Spending Review 2002. The terms of reference are as follows.

The review will

• identify the main trends affecting the size and composition of the public sector workforce over the period 2002 to 2007, and the skills required for the successful delivery of public services, in particular in relation to the NHS, education, the criminal justice system, defence and social services;

• assess these trends in the context of developments in national and regional labour markets, including the role for greater use of geographically differentiated pay;

• analyse departments’ recruitment and retention strategies for these and other key groups, and assess their likely impact; and

• identify issues common to more than one public sector group and areas for coordinated action.

Nick Brown (Minister for Work) is the ministerial lead for the Review and is supported by a team of officials from HM Treasury, and the Department for Work and Pensions.  The Review will aim to report by the end of January next year.

Further information can be obtained from Peter Denison, HM Treasury, Parliament Street, London SW1P 3AG, telephone 020 7270 5605, e-mail, Peter.Denison@ hm-treasury.gov.uk