Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Accepted
Whistleblower experience feedback not systematically collected across government departments.
Conclusion
The annual RAC data collection does not cover the treatment of whistleblowers; for example whether a whistleblower in a specific case has experienced any mistreatment, such as victimisation or bullying.39 The ‘whistleblowing heath check’ guidance issued by the Cabinet Office suggests departments should gather feedback from individuals on whether their concerns have been handled responsibly, professionally and in a positive manner. However, the National Audit Office found that most departments do not routinely request information directly from whistleblowers about their experience.40 Some feedback is given to departments through discussions with their nominated officers, but it is not collected in a systematic way to draw out comparable, specific data points.41 HMRC acknowledged that it needed to do further work in this area so it can report on this data going forward.42
Government Response Summary
The Cabinet Office will work with departmental leads to better capture whistleblowers' experiences, including victimisation or harassment, develop an anonymised feedback survey for whistleblowers, ensure senior leader oversight of victimisation cases, and share lessons learned across government.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4.2 The Cabinet Office will work with departmental leads to develop ways on how it can better capture whistleblowers' experiences, including whether they have experienced victimisation or harassment. The Cabinet Office will encourage the sharing of learning and good practice across departments. 4.3. The Cabinet Office will develop an anonymised feedback survey for whistleblowers to capture their experience, sharing learning across government. Providing feedback will be a voluntary measure to ensure that whistleblowers do not feel deterred from raising a concern. Consideration will be given to ensure that those who raise concerns anonymously can also provide feedback. This will help departments and the Cabinet Office understand better why anonymous whistleblowers use this route and explore ways to ensure whistleblowers have a safe experience. 4.4 The Cabinet Office will continue to work with departmental leads to ensure that there is a senior leader in each organisation who oversees cases where whistleblowers raise subsequent concerns around victimisation or harassment to ensure follow-up actions are captured. The introduction of a civil service-wide whistleblowing champion (as per para 3.6) will help support a safe-to-challenge culture. 4.5 The Cabinet Office will look at how any lessons learned can be shared, effectively and respectfully across government.