Joined-Up Government: Past, Present, and Future

The idea of ‘joined-up’ government which was first used by Tony Blair in 1997 has become a significant aspect of modern UK government. It has changed and influenced how structures are organized, how targets are set, how budgets are allocated and how the daily work of local agencies and professions are performed. The main reason for the interest in the concept of ‘joined-up’ government has been the recognition that some problems of the government do not fit into the neat departmental boundaries of good government. However ‘joined-up’ government has brought some changes; it is still in its infancy. Most departments of the government are still arranged in a vertical manner and this has been the case for almost fifty years and most of the joining-up of government agencies is the result of existing coordination between these departments rather than changes in the radical structure. This chapter discusses the background of British ‘joined-up’ government. It also discusses reforms the UK government has undertaken since 1997 to achieve the goal of a new government through integration and coordination. The chapter concludes with the possible direction of the future reforms on ‘joined-up’ government.