Recommendation 31

We asked about the lack of tolerance of those involved in projects to voice their concerns without facing serious repercussions. The Permanent Secretary told us that “there are some particular challenges within the uniform chain of command about how you raise concerns” and he wanted the Department to have “the kind of safety culture where people feel able to raise concerns and have those concerns acted on”.64 He mentioned in particular his worry about the autumn 2021 people survey results for the Department, in which 10% of staff said that they have been subject to or witnessed bullying, harassment or discrimination, up from 9% in the previous year.65