Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Accepted
Central data collection fails to capture local actions from whistleblowing concerns
Conclusion
There are actions taken on a local level that are also not currently captured in the central data collection. The National Audit Office found that under 5% of completed cases in the period 2019–20 to 2021–22 are recorded as having led to changes in policies and procedures.16 The Cabinet Office told us that most whistleblowing cases are about people not following processes, rather than there being an issue with the policy and procedure itself. Both HMRC and DWP confirmed that they often respond to whistleblowing concerns by taking local action such as training staff to address the lack of adherence to a policy.17 Lack of data analysis
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.