Welcome to the Better Government Initiative

The Better Government Initiative (BGI) was formed as a response to widespread concerns about the practical difficulties that government today faces as it seeks to run the country against a background of rapid change. Our work focuses on the processes that play an essential part in achieving sound governance. We aim to canvass the widest possible range of views and to publish concrete recommendations that will be of practical relevance not only to the major parties but to a wider audience of practitioners, academics and commentators who share our concerns and interests.

The Better Government Initiative was set up by Sir Christopher Foster, a former professor of economics and adviser to ministers from the 1970s to the 1990s. His book “British Government in Crisis” (2005) drew attention to many of the issues that the Group has been considering.

Latest Report

Evidence to the PACAC inquiry into Strategic Leadership in the Civil Service

evidence to PACAC strategic leadership inquiry

Report Published November 10, 2018

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Latest Posts

BGI welcomes the publication of PACAC’s latest report on Strategic leadership in the Civil Service.

The report provides a thoughtful and readable account of recent developments in civil service leadership training and the need for future action to establish a new institution, building on the […]

Civil Service World’s report on Sir Richard Mottram’s appearance at the PACAC inquiry into strategic leadership in the civil service

Sir  Richard’s key message was that the civil service would benefit from a  line-manager driven model of staff development rather than the current  churn created by individuals seeking new roles, often […]

BGI deplores government misrepresentation of proposal to strengthen decision-making process

In its Third Special Report on 10 January, the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee published the Government’s response to the Committee’s Tenth Report of Session 2016-17 on ‘Lessons still […]

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