J.A. ChandlerIn 1991 eight polytechnics offered a BA in public administration while five universities provided the degree with either public or social policy. Currently, no higher education institution in Britain offers a BA degree solely entitled ‘public administration’. 

The Successful Delivery Skills Programme launched by the Office of Government Commerce is the latest initiative in the drive to improve the project management skills of Civil Servants. The Programme brings together the cultures of the different departments to form a comprehensive approach that it is hoped will drive forward improvements in the delivery of complex public sector projects.The Programme is a benchmark standard of successful delivery skills. 

Clear and focused leadership at middle and top levels is vital for the improvement of public services says the Audit Commission. In a guide to managing improvement ‘Performance Breakthroughs’ it sets out reasons for failed attempts to do better and describes ways in which performance breakthroughs have been achieved.