Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Acknowledged
Department's inter-departmental working relationships vary, with limited adoption of handshake agreements
Recommendation
The Department’s working relationships with others in government vary in maturity and other government departments have mixed views on the Department’s remit.20 To agree roles and responsibilities between departments, the Department told us it had introduced ‘handshake agreements’.21 However, the NAO’s report highlighted these had yet to be adopted by the majority of sector teams.22 We asked the Department about its assessment of the need for joined-up, whole-of-government thinking, and why it does not have an MoU with every department it interacts with to ensure they have shared expectations. The Department told us it was confident government departments were aligned under the growth mission, but it committed to consider the potential of having formal agreements between itself and its partners.23
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the recommendation and states the department developed the whole of the Industrial Strategy in partnership with other departments, with Sector Plans led by relevant departments and that this is an ongoing programme.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 2.2 The department developed the whole of the Industrial Strategy in partnership with other departments, with Sector Plans led by relevant departments. This ongoing programme of work involves sector councils and taskforces, chaired by leaders from the sectors and with representatives across relevant industries, working with lead departments and the Department for Business and Trade as appropriate.