What Michael Barber’s appointment tells us about Whitehall reform and the ‘science’ of delivery

In learning lessons from COVID-19 and preceding governance pathologies, it is clear a new approach is needed based on a fundamental overhaul of how policy change is undertaken, writes Patrick Diamond. He discusses what Sir Michael Barber’s recent appointment to carry out an audit of government effectiveness tells us about the government’s attitude towards reform, and whether Barber can help resolve the governance problems enveloping the British state.