New audit boss calls for target reduction

The new chairperson of the Audit Commission has told MPs that the
numbers of targets public sector bodies are measured against should
be reduced.

Giving evidence before the public administration select committee
last week, James Strachan said that while targets were a valuable
tool of understanding how to improve services, a “proliferation of
targets” was “a very dangerous thing”.

Strachan also said the commission heard from too many public bodies
complaining that they were “drowning” in performance indicators.