Policy-making and the managerial framework

The Women and Equality Unit
www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk/
One way in which the policy-making framework of British government has recently changed is through the adoption of 'gender-mainstreaming' – an attempt to incorporate gender issues into all aspects of the policy-making process. You can explore the principles behind gender-mainstreaming and review the government's strategy by clicking the link 'Integrating Equality' on the left-hand side of the homepage.

The Hutton Inquiry
www.the-hutton-inquiry.org.uk/
Established in 2003, the judicial inquiry by Lord Hutton into the circumstances surrounding the death of David Kelly provides unequalled insights into the machinery of government in the Blair era. Naturally the site allows you to download the final report. However, the evidence section is the real goldmine, providing documents and insights that would have otherwise remained hidden from the public eye for decades.

Her Majesty's Treasury: Performance
www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/documents/public_spending_and_services/publicservice_performance/pss_perf_index.cfm
As this chapter establishes, the drive for efficiency is a key facet of the contemporary policy making and managerial framework. On this section of the Treasury's website you will take you to a list of government departments and Quangos. Clicking on a link will then give you details of the relevant Public Service Agreement and information on progress on meeting these performance targets.

House of Commons Library Research Note: Special Advisers
www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/notes/snpc-03813.pdf
The House of Commons Library makes available a wide range of research papers and briefing notes on contemporary legislation and political issues. This link will take you to a note written in 2005 which sets out the position of special advisers in the UK system of government, provides statistics on their numbers and details the Special Advisers Code.