Government Criticized for Focus on Announcements Over Delivery, New Digital ID Scheme Plans Revealed
Darren Jones, chief secretary to the Prime Minister and head of the Cabinet Office, has criticized the government for being addicted to announcements and failing to focus on actual delivery of policies. Appointed by Keir Starmer in September as part of a Downing Street operation shake-up, Jones is responsible for enforcing policy delivery across government.
Speaking to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Jones said the centre of government is not operating effectively and requires change. He emphasized public priorities including improving public services and the NHS, reducing the cost of living so people feel better off by the end of the Parliament, and strengthening national pride and border security. He called for faster delivery with less emphasis on strategy and reviews.
Jones noted that the government is currently overly focused on the daily policy "grid" and announcements. A planned shift involves using social media more effectively, including Starmer’s TikTok channel, with a new-year push aimed at being more creative on digital platforms and moving away from reliance on newspaper press releases, in order to better show government impact.
In addition, Jones is in charge of implementing the digital ID scheme, though its final cost and scope are yet to be decided. The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates a cost of £1.8 billion. There will be a public consultation next year to determine the final figures and assess technical specifications and privacy concerns. If the public opposes the scheme, the outcomes have not been specified. Finally, Jones mentioned a crackdown on unauthorized briefings with potential consequences for leaks.
