NAO Report Highlights Public Sector Gaps; Whistleblowing Bill Proposed
What happened
A 2023 National Audit Office report found a significant gap between policy and practice within the civil service. Separately, Richard Shepherd proposed a Whistleblowing Bill. The government’s current consultation on the matter is timed to coincide with the final stages of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill through Parliament.
Why it matters
The proposals and findings suggest that public bodies may face new regulatory requirements, including the mandate to publish their code of ethics and detail whistleblowing arrangements. This could necessitate changes to how concerns are raised, investigated, and acted upon across government.
Who's involved
- National Audit OfficeIndependent body that monitors government failures and financial performance.
- Richard ShepherdProposed the Whistleblowing Bill.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- UK Health Security AgencySpeculative
The UK Health Security Agency might face increased costs related to improving internal procedures mandated by regulatory action.
- Network RailSpeculative
Network Rail could be required to adjust operational costs to meet new internal procedure mandates.
- Home OfficeSpeculative
The Home Office may see changes in administrative costs due to mandated procedural improvements.
Keep exploring
The entities involved
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National Audit Office
an independent Parliamentary body in the United Kingdom
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Richard Shepherd
English forensic pathologist
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