Carnegie UK: DFM’s pledge to reform National Performance Framework signals willingness to fix machinery of government

Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has this afternoon announced reform of the National Performance Framework (NPF). She said that the changes would be “designed to support and enhance collaboration between all the different layers of government, to reach-out, empower and engage communities, and to let us understand and address more effectively the complex problems we face as a society”.

The NPF is a strategic tool introduced by the Scottish Government in 2007 that sets out a vision for the collective wellbeing of Scotland.

The proposals have been cautiously welcomed by Dunfermline-based wellbeing public policy experts Carnegie UK. The foundation published a report last year which argues that a reformed NPF could act as a lynchpin of a renewed public service reform programme, presenting their findings to Holyrood’s influential finance and public administration committee.  

Sarah Davidson, chief executive at Carnegie UK, said: “The Deputy First Minister today signalled Scottish Ministers’ willingness to roll up their sleeves to try and fix the machinery of government. We particularly welcome the commitment to empowering and engaging communities and would urge the Government to build this into the reform process from the get-go. 

“Our research shows that the wellbeing of the people of Scotland is stagnating. However central government working alone has little chance of improving people’s lives.

“By reforming the National Performance Framework, the Scottish Government can begin to match many of our collective ambitions for the country with plans for action. They can start properly measuring what matters to the people of Scotland and ensuring our public bodies and partners to work toward systematic improvement.”

Contact

Stuart Mackinnon [email protected]