Julian McCrae, Deputy Director of the Institute for Government, said:

“The Chancellor announced he intends to make £10 billion in efficiency savings by 2017/18. Savings like this can only be achieved if there is real and fundamental change in the way the government operates, and the statement today appears to recognise it is not enough to continue salami-slicing budgets.

“Whitehall needs the right structures and tools in place to achieve this savings target. In the next few months it is crucial the top civil servants provide the clear and personal leadership needed to make these savings happen.

“We will only be able to judge the realism of the more ambitious target for the end of next Parliament when we see if the government delivers the £10 billion target.”

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