Una O'Brien on the future of the civil servant–minister relationship

How can the relationship between ministers and civil servants be improved?

Former Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health, Dame Una O’Brien, joins Tom Brown to reflect on the critical importance of trust and mutual understanding in this relationship.

They explore how political shifts, such as Brexit and COVID-19, have impacted these dynamics and Una highlights the importance of investing in the relationship during good times to build a strong foundation for when challenges arise.

Plus, does the relationship need a more formal support mechanism and what are the potential solutions to enhance collaboration and efficiency in government?

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