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Problems within WAG

Given Sunday's blog on Dafydd Wigley's comments regarding the role of the civil service in Wales, it would seem that at least individuals working for WAG agrees with his observations.

According to Western Mail, the 'whistleblower' alleges:
  • Recent Ministerial refusal to meaningfully engage with the UK Government on stimulating bank lending to Wales’s businesses in favour of WAG lending of public money direct to business;
  • hundreds of millions of pounds of European aid being diverted from the private sector into the continuation of longstanding, re-branded public sector schemes with poor track records;
  • the much-trumpeted Single Investment Fund and WAG’s SME (small and medium enterprises) relationship manager support is only reaching a minuscule number of Welsh businesses;
  • millions of pounds of funding intended for SMEs not being used and handed back;
    an expensive IT project to develop a customer relationship management system not delivering;
  • major problems with the public transport concessionary fares scheme;
  • ministers’ decision to reject connecting with the highly praised Business Link and Direct Gov websites, helping millions of individuals and businesses elsewhere in the UK, on the grounds that they are “too English” and would make the millions of pounds invested in WAG’s site look embarrassing;
  • expensive staff events continuing at some of Wales’ best hotels regardless of the recession,
  • the department’s staff having the least faith in senior management, according to staff survey results.
Of course, as the WAG's spokesperson says, this could be hearsay but there is only one way to resolve these allegations and that is to show unequivocally that they have no basis in truth whatsoever.

As most of the allegations concern finance and performance, that shouldn't be too difficult. They could even publish the results of the staff survey.

However, if WAG does not do that, then the opposition should ask some serious questions regarding each and every one of the allegations made.

Comments

caebrwyn said…
The heavy handed reaction of the Assembly spokesperson to the 'allegations' is typical and does nothing to encourage legitimate whistleblowing neither does it improve public perception of openness in government. The 'proper procedures' are, at best, designed to silence and diffuse criticism. In these cynical times, whatever the motive is for political allegations a defensive reaction by a governing body always suggests a degree of panic and guilt.
April 28, 2009 10:45 am
Anonymous said…
Ah well. FMQs today should be momentarily of interest then.
April 28, 2009 11:27 am
Anonymous said…
There is so much more that could come out.The way they have handled secondments and brushed aside agreements.
The way people have been promoted beyond their capabilities because of badly negotiated TUPE.
The favouritism shown to mates and how procurement is bye passed, or handled, to ensure where contracts go.
Open Government,that's a laugh
April 28, 2009 12:04 pm
Anonymous said…
Can we really expect WAG to be upfront and honest over this given its track record in dealing with stuff like this in the past?

It will be up to the opposition and the media as usual to find out what's going on behind closed doors at WAG departments because it affects us all.
April 28, 2009 4:04 pm
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