Recommendation 6

In 2017, the Cabinet Office introduced data collection from departments following this Committee’s recommendations in 2016.7 The data collection process is known as the annual Raising a Concern (RAC) collection exercise, which includes a qualitative survey and a quantitative return. The information collected includes the number of whistleblowing cases and nature of those cases. There is also a centrally issued health check tool that departments can use to self-assess themselves against Cabinet Office model policies and practices.8 These health checks are designed to provide assurance to permanent secretaries that there are effective whistleblowing arrangements in place in their departments and agencies.9