Research by LogicaCMG has revealed that public sector professionals are now feeling positive about the move to joined-up government in terms of improved staff development and training. However, lack of communication between local and central government, fear of cultural differences and middle management bottlenecks are perceived to be inhibiting the successful roll out of this new way of working.

A key element of the government's drive to modernise services has resulted inJoined-up working between central departments, agencies and the rest of the public sector.

Cultural differences between local and central government were cited by over half of local authority respondents as a factor that will inhibit joined-up government, though unsurprisingly this figure falls to 39 per cent when it comes to central government. HR directors and managers within the NHS are the most critical of middle management, with 67 per cent seeing managers as a bottle neck to progress compared to 56 per cent overall. Training was cited by many as something that would help overcome these difficulties, equipping middle-management in particular with the necessary skills to make joined-up government work.

"Joined-up government has the potential to deliver immense value to the public in terms of high quality, modern, accessible and responsive services," says Keith Scott, Director of Training at LogicaCMG.

"Training across all management levels is a core element in this transitional phase, and will help to deliver a seamless approach to government."

HR professionals questioned largely viewed joined-up government as highly beneficial to the provision of staff training. Two-thirds of those questioned overall agreed that joined-up government will help focus their training needs, and 61 per cent agreed that the management and delivery of training activities will benefit from a joined-up approach.
Website: http://www.logicacmg.com