Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Accepted
Cabinet Office introduced whistleblowing data collection and health check tools in 2017
Recommendation
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
Government Response Summary
The Cabinet Office will review the annual data collection for 2024-25 and widen the data set to focus on clarity and consensus on the categorisation of cases and outcomes, clarifying the time taken to conclude an investigation, requesting additional information on the experience / treatment of the whistleblower, ensuring nil responses are submitted, following up on cases which were ongoing at the time of collection, and holding departmental assurance conversations.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
1.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Spring 2025 1.2 The Cabinet Office will work with departmental leads to review the annual data collection for the year 2024-25, including the widening of the data set to focus on: 39 • providing clarity and consensus on the categorisation of cases and outcomes; • clarifying the time taken to conclude an investigation; • requesting additional information on the experience / treatment of the whistleblower; • ensuring nil responses are submitted; • following up on cases which were ongoing at the time of collection; • holding departmental assurance conversations. The Cabinet Office will explore with departmental leads the feasibility of tracking cases where whistleblowers have subsequently made victimisation or harassment claims. 1.3 The Cabinet Office Government Chief People Officer wrote to HR Directors on 12 June 2024, to commission the data return for 2023-2024. The commission has been shared with Accounting Officers to support compliance and their role in whistleblowing. The final analysis report will be shared with HR Directors in late summer 2024, to support understanding of their organisation’s position and the wider Civil Service context. 1.4 The Cabinet Office has shared the Raising a Concern self-assessment tool (formerly the health check) and will continue to work with departmental leads to ensure that a senior leader in each organisation has oversight of cases and can provide assurance on the Raising a Concern process.