Chapman R A
Public Money & Management, (UK), Jan-Mar 98 Vol 18 No 1
Start page: 9 No of pages: 5

Reflects on the nature of ethics in public service; considers the essence of decisions, constraints on these and pressures from outside of and within the administrative system; looks at the implications of the system of government and its constitution for ethics. Discusses the particular issue of public personnel administration, pointing to well-publicized cases related to professional standards in the UK public service; ranges across pre-entry education, post-entry socialization, training and provisions which – it might be hoped – resolve matters of conscience for officers. Sets all this in the context of the effects of new public management and difficulties that are arising from an ethical dimension.

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The National Audit Office has listed how the Inland Revenue has gripped staff
corruption, committing substantial time and resources, following the conviction
of a senior tax inspector.

Michael Allcock was convicted in 1997 and imprisoned for five years on six
counts of corruption. Five other staff were disciplined, including demotion
for three.

Read more on INLAND REVENUE ACTS TO COMBAT INTERNAL CORRUPTION…

There’s been criticism of the Department of Health’s guidance on the
composition of Primary Care Groups.

The Local Government Association says the guidance does not go fare enough
towards securing, by right, more influence for local councils and councillors.

Read more on LOCAL GOVERNMENT WANTS MORE SAY ON HEALTH AGENDA…

Belman D, Gunderson M, Hyatt D (Eds)

Studies public sector employment and offers two suggestions for future directions in the rapidly changing system: one emphasizes improving the efficiency of government through innovative practices and a movement away from the bureaucratic, civil service model, while the other stresses cost cutting as an end in itself. Suggests that the first strategy offers improved services and a more involved workforce, and the implicit goals of the second are often service reduction, downsizing government, privatization of service provision and reductions in real compensation. Deals with the full scope of public employment relations, including issues of labour adjustment, workplace practices and human resource management policies, as well as alternative dispute resolution procedures and labour-management co-operation in the collective bargaining arena.

Read more on PUBLIC SECOR EMPLOYMENT IN A TIME OF TRANSITION…