Modernisation of the State
The modernisation of the State
Public sector performance: focusing on results
The rapid growth of online administration
A general review of public policies
A general review of public policies: tailoring the public services sector to meet citizens’ needs
On the 10th July 2007, the framework of the "general review of public policies" was launched, its aims to stem the rising tide of regulations and reduce the deficit while laying the foundations for sustainable growth.
For thirty years the public sphere has experienced rapid rises in staffing levels and expenditure. The numerous regulations and policies have stacked up, creating a confused administrative landscape, both inefficient and costly. This is a highly unsatisfactory state of affairs: the French people have the right to expect effective public services at a more reasonable cost.
To correct the situation, a general review of public policy has been launched. It aims to completely rethink all State functions and modify the public services sector to better suit citizens’ needs.
The review will seek to identify reforms to help cut public spending while at the same time increasing the efficiency of public policies. Cost-savings achieved through reorganising and reducing staff numbers would free up resources to underpin certain policies and key Government priorities.
State expenditure will be closely examined against a simple set of questions based on the seven questions that comprise the review’s analysis grid:
What do we do?
What are the collective needs and expectations?
Do we need to continue to do it?
Who should do it?
Who should cover the costs?
How can we do this better and for less money?
How should we go about change?
To answer these questions, a dozen audit teams, comprising auditors from ministerial and interministerial auditing departments and the private sector, will be tasked with working alongside ministries to identify suitable levers for reform. The State’s productive infrastructure will then be reviewed in its entirety but also, for the first time, six major intervention policies on which the State works in collaboration with other bodies: family, health and health insurance, business development, town & housing, employment and professional training, and cohesion policies.
Furthermore, four interministerial projects relating to the management of State human resources, relationships between the Government and local authorities, reform of national administration and the simplification of internal procedures will be set up separately.
Finally the reform proposals drawn up by the audit teams will be examined by a review monitoring panel before major decisions are made by a Public Policies Modernisation Council led by the President of the Republic. Each minister will then be responsible for implementing these reforms within his own ministry.
Site de la révision des politiques publiques.