Title

WHITEHALL

Ministers need special background says report

Failure to adequately prepare politicians for the realities of ministerial life means many lack the skills and training needed for high office, according to a study by the Institute for Government.

Failure to adequately prepare politicians for the realities of ministerial life means many lack the skills and training needed for high office, according to a study by the Institute for Government.

Its report The challenge of being a minister claims this results in frequent reshuffles and a limited ministerial life-cycle of two years, which prove damaging to the quality of government. Lord Adonis, director of the think-tank further suggests that being a special adviser (SpAd) represents ‘an excellent preparation – in many ways, an apprenticeship, for ministerial office.'

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