State of Policy Information 2010

We investigated how the target groups experienced the policies implemented to address 20 social problems, from reducing administrative burdens in the Netherlands to improving education in Mali. Who uses a particular measure? Does the measure have the desired impact? How is the policy ultimately accounted for? The outcomes of these practical assessments are diverse but trends can be identified that agree with the conclusions drawn in previous editions of State of Policy Information:

• in a number of cases no or only very summary corroborating information is available on the policy;
• in most cases there is incomplete insight into the relationship between a government intervention and the funds involved on the one hand and the extent to which the problem has been resolved on the other.

Shortly after Accountability Day 2009, the House of Representatives passed the Pechtold motion to improve auditability and accountability for the achievement of the government's goals. This prompted us to explore a new approach to our audit of policy information. The practical assessments look at the contribution made by policy to resolving social problems from the position of the 'policy addressee': the person, business or institution that is experiencing a particular problem. What concrete impact does the policy have for those directly concerned? At the same time, we also investigate the relationship between the substance and the outcome of government policy and the financial and non-financial accountability for policy: is money being spent to achieve the government's goals?

The practical assessments consist of four dimensions: four ways of revealing how government policy contributes to resolving social problems. This year, we looked upon the assessments as a trial run. We will evaluate the approach and refine it where necessary on the basis of the outcomes. We do not express an opinion on policy effectiveness on the basis of the practical assessments.

The Minister of Finance recognises the importance of insight into the impact that policy has on resolving social problems. He thinks the practical assessments are not suitable in their current form to provide a real insight into the effectiveness of policy, however, on account of their limited scope.