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28 March 2001

IMPROVING PUBLIC SERVICES

‘CHOOSING THE RIGHT FABRIC:  A FRAMEWORK FOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION’

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A new Framework to improve the quality of performance information in the public sector was launched today. This will help to provide the good quality information essential for the public, Parliament and other bodies scrutinising public services and seeking continuing improvement in their delivery.  

‘Choosing the Right FABRIC:  a Framework for Performance Information’, sets out principles for good performance information agreed between the Treasury, Cabinet Office, National Audit Office, Audit Commission and Office for National Statistics. All five bodies were represented at the launch of this significant collaborative initiative.

Welcoming the new Framework, Chief Secretary Andrew Smith said:

“To ensure that programmes are working as effectively as possible - and to identify opportunities for further improvement - we need high quality, reliable information about how public sector bodies perform.

“The new Framework for Performance Information sets out agreed principles that will make it easier to set clear, transparent targets for their organisations to deliver public service improvements that we all want to see.”

Cabinet Office Minister Ian McCartney said:

"This Government has launched the biggest investment programme in public services in modern times.

"But resource must be matched with reform and a responsibility to use those resources effectively and listen to what customers want.  The initiative launched today will help us do just that.”

Sir John Bourn, Comptroller and Auditor General said:

“Good performance information is a crucial component of better management and improved accountability to Parliament and the public.  The Framework for Performance Information provides a set of criteria for the coherent development of better performance information across government, and hence better public services.”

Andrew Foster, Controller of the Audit Commission said:

"Performance measurement is a vital tool in helping to improve public services and the Audit Commission is very pleased to be bringing its experience in this area to the table.

"It ensures that poor performance is challenged and best practice shared. But it also ensures that the providers of public services are accountable by making information available to the public in an accessible and meaningful way."

Len Cook, National Statistician said:

"For the public to have confidence in government statements about its objectives and targets, trusted information is critical. I have been pleased to play a role in this Framework, which recognises the importance of high quality National Statistics.

“My job, under this Framework, is to help meet the objective Sir Winston Churchill set when he established the Central Statistical Agency in 1941 – that arguments should be about what should be done, not about what are the right figures.”

Also launched today is the Government Strategy for Performance Information. This was developed in response to the Performance and Innovation Unit’s ‘Wiring It Up’ report on the management of cross-cutting issues. The Strategy outlines a number of initiatives, including both existing and new work, such as the Framework, that are helping the public sector to improve the way it produces and uses performance information.

 
NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. Performance information is information used to measure an organisation’s progress against its objectives.

2. ’Choosing the Right FABRIC: a Framework for Performance Information’, is a guide to setting performance measures published as part of the Performance Information Strategy. The FABRIC criteria are based on the concept that measurement must be Focused, Appropriate, Balanced, Robust, Integrated, and Cost-effective

3. The Framework for Performance Information is an initiative developed as part of the Government’s Strategy for Performance Information, also launched today. The Strategy is a response to a recommendation in the Performance and Innovation Unit’s ‘Wiring it Up’ report, published January 2000.  This is available on the Cabinet Office web site at: www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/innovation/reports/reports.shtml.

4. Copies of both the Framework and Strategy documents are available from Public Enquiry Unit on 020 7270 4558.

5. Media enquiries should be addressed to Charles Keseru in the Treasury press office on 020 7270 5188.

6. If you have access to the internet, this press release and other Treasury related material can be found on the Treasury web site at:  www.hm-treasury.gov.uk.

7. The performance information framework and strategy can be found on www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/performance_info/