Under a plan masterminded by outgoing executive director for government communication Jenny Grey, departmental communications teams have been brought together in a series of ‘hubs’ to work together on procurement of marketing, advertising and other communications services. A Cabinet Office spokesperson explained that the new structure will make communications more “strategic” and accountable to ministers, adding: “By setting out our communications priorities for the coming year, we give businesses the chance to plan for upcoming government work opportunities.”
The priorities of the hub for the communities, transport, environment and energy departments include promoting local democracy; preventing traffic accidents; maximising take-up of right to buy; consulting on high speed rail; and promoting the Green Deal. Including the hub’s 88 arm’s-length bodies, it will be responsible for 610.5 full time equivalent staff.
The health hub will focus on public health; social care reform;NHS reforms; and social marketing campaigns such as anti-tobacco advertisements. It will manage 430 full-time equivalent staff.
Welfare and tax hub priorities include Universal Credit; pension reform; fraud and error; the Work Programme; Personal Independence Payments; self-assessment tax returns; child maintenance; tax credits; and the voluntary disclosure of underpaid tax. The hub will manage 534 FTEs.
The business, treasury and culture hub will communicate the government’s macroeconomic strategy; support business policies; inspire business confidence in science; promote training; boost tourist numbers; and encourage investment in the UK. The hub will manage 619 FTEs.
The Home Office and justice hub will concentrate on crime and justice, with priorities including boosting awareness of the police and crime commissioners’ elections; promoting drugs information; police reforms; and combating violence against women. It will manage 410 FTEs.
The Cabinet Office and education hub will prioritise free schools; recruiting teachers; the National Citizen’s Service; childcare; and cybersecurity. It employs 207 FTEs.
The overseas hub will focus on the National Security Council’s priorities, employing 732.7 FTEs.
The plan was originally scheduled for publication in June, but has been delayed. The spokesperson said: “the plan brings together proposed work from all government departments and non-ministerial organisations. This is a big undertaking and takes time to get it right.”
It also called for metrics to assess campaign effectiveness, and greater sharing of staff across hubs.