Sammendrag:

This report assesses the measurement culture, an increasingly important feature of public
services over the past twenty years. Such measurement has become especially important
since the first Comprehensive Spending Review and the original publication of the Public
Service Agreements (PSAs) in 1998. The Report concentrates in particular on performance
targets, including the PSAs, and league tables.
The Report recognises that every organisation needs to have a means for measuring its own
performance internally and in comparison with others, if it is to learn, develop and
motivate its staff. None of our witnesses seriously advocated that performance
measurement should be swept away, and we recognise that much has been achieved by
means of it. The increase in accountability and transparency which targets have brought
with them has been valuable. Taxpayers and users of public services have a right to know
how well their services are being delivered and who is accountable for them. We also
acknowledge that where necessary the system has been adapted to changing circumstances.