Ministerial Foreword
The Modernising Government Fund ( MGF) was first announced to Parliament in February 2000 as a means to support innovation in the public sector, to address policy priorities for modernisation and particularly to support and promote 'joined-up' working.
Round one of the MGF was a significant and highly successful lever in encouraging innovation across the public sector. The second round of the MGF supported a more strategic focus on core priorities and secured a wider range of partnership (consortium) working across Scotland. Round two takes account of lessons learned through MGF 1 and ensures effective investment in areas which would deliver greatest value.
A number of the initiatives highlighted in the report involve investment in infrastructure and 'future-proofing', the full benefits of which will only be realised and measurable at a later date. We have, therefore, much to look forward to with MGF 3, which will enable significant tangible successes of the modernisation programme to be achieved with current partners, and will enable other public sector partners to benefit from the infrastructural investment.
I am delighted to be able to provide the foreword for this report that describes the progress that has been made. Progress made possible not only by the funding itself but more significantly through successful partnership working. The road to major change is not an easy one to follow, and I am grateful to all participating in the programmes of work for their diligence and determination to overcome the obstacles which are an inevitable consequence of such far-reaching and innovative changes to working practice.
TOM McCABE, MSP
Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform