I am also Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Office whose main purpose is 'making government work better'. The staff in Downing Street are also part of the Cabinet Office. The aims of the Cabinet Office are to support the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and strengthen the Civil Service. One example of this is that we are the lead department charged with ensuring that the most socially excluded adults are offered the chance to get back on a path to a successful life. This is typical of Cabinet Office work as it requires us to work across Government departments and in partnership with local authorities and the private, charitable and voluntary sectors.
MY BACKGROUND
I went to a state school in Battersea and then studied economics at the University of Warwick and Nuffield College, Oxford. I had four highly enjoyable years lecturing in economics at the University of Glasgow before joining the Government Economic Service in 1979. I started my Civil Service career at the Treasury but have also worked as a diplomat in the Embassy in Washington and as Press Secretary to the Chancellor and Prime Minister (1990 - 94). I have also represented the UK on the boards of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. I became Cabinet Secretary in summer 2005 having been Permanent Secretary to the Treasury before that.
I hope my career shows that specialists can do well in the Civil Service and that we offer a variety of career paths.
CAREER HIGHLIGHT
I am really proud to have been on the team that did the 5-tests assessment of whether we should join the Euro. It is a good example of evidence-based policy. But my proudest moment was presenting the prize for the first Civil Servant of the Year to Sorwar Ahmed from the Pension Service. His commitment and professionalism reminded me of why I am proud to be Head of the Civil Service and remain passionate about our role in making Government work better for all our citizens.
LОOKING FORWARD
I want to make the Civil Service respected throughout the country for our honesty and integrity coupled with our ability to deliver services effectively and efficiently. This means building a professional, diverse and flexible Civil Service that meets the needs of our increasingly diverse society.
Ответьте на вопросы к тексту
1) What is Gus O’Donnell?
2) What are his roles?
3) What duties does he have as the Cabinet Secretary?
4) What is he responsible for as the Head of the Civil Service?
5) Why is he proud to be Head of the Civil Service?
6) What is he in charge of as the Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Office?
7) What is his educational background?
8) What kind of Civil Service does he want to have?
4. Прочитайте и запомните слова и фразы из текста Civil Service Executive Officer. Постройте предложения с данной лексикой
