The UK Government’s Communications Plan 2016/17 has just been published. This is the fifth annual one, and as ever, it’s an interesting read and excellent example of how to structure a comprehensive plan.
I’m privileged to work with a number of local authorities to help their professional communicators achieve excellence.
I’ve also just been appointed to work on an exciting project with a Government department. I’m not sure if I can share details with you yet, so will keep under my hat for now.
If you interact with the Government or want to learn more about the work of comms professionals working in this field, the plan is worth reading.
I was invited to the recent launch by the Government Communication Service but unfortunately was unable to attend. However, you can catch up here on what we missed as I’ve got full information to share with you.
What is the plan?
It sets out the commitment of Directors of Communication and the GCS (Government Communication Service) to produce campaigns and other communications to support the Government’s priorities in the year ahead.
It also explains the structure and core aims of the GCS, and highlights its programmes and plans for improving communications professional practice across government.
Here are a few extracts:
Whole document: Read the Government Communications Plan 2016/17.
You can also read it below:
Alex Aiken, @AlexanderAiken, (pictured) Executive Director, Government Communications – UK Government said: “The plan is written for government communicators, but it also explains our work in the year ahead for partners and stakeholders of the GCS.
“We will deliver world-class, effective, efficient communications across the UK to support priorities under the government’s key themes: providing economic security at every stage of life; ensuring our safety and leading role in the world; and extending opportunity so everyone has the chance to get on in life.
“Our role in the daily delivery of government operations and public services also safeguards and enriches people’s lives. The major campaigns in our plan for 2016/17 have been through a rigorous professional assurance process to ensure they are aligned with government priorities and will – collectively and individually – make best possible use of public funds.
“We remain committed to insight-based, digitally driven, robustly evaluated communication and engagement with our audiences.
What stands out for me from the plan is the new nine point standard for UK Government communicators. The GCS has established a set of guidelines, models and templates to continually raise the quality of practice.
It covers these areas:
- Skills
- Working model
- Campaigns
- Evaluations
- Digital
- Staff Engagement
- Leadership
- Ethics
- Professional Development.
Closer collaboration
Alex adds: “We will strive for even closer collaboration across government and with local partners, in pursuit of the greatest possible cost-efficiency and impact. We will further embed our Modern Communications Operating Model and new GCS Standards for excellent professional practice. 
And we will develop even stronger leadership skills, to support the communication function’s role as a visible, trusted, strategic partner across government.”
Further reading: Modern Communications Operating Model
What does the year ahead hold?
Alex says: “This year will bring new challenges and we must keep up a rapid pace of change and professional improvement in the GCS. This will help to ensure that we are equal to the task, and considered by our partners to be a thoroughly modern communication service and a ‘best-in-class’ government profession. The diverse talents of each and every communicator in the GCS will be essential.”
The IC Space
Well done to everyone involved in creating this latest plan.
Want to read more from the Government Communication Service? You can find them on Twitter @UKGovComms.
One of the most useful resources from GCS is The IC Space. If you’ve not discovered it before, I recommend checking it out.
It’s the place for Internal Communication professionals across government and includes top tips, basic tools, case studies and best practice examples. Although it’s aimed at government communicators, the information is fantastic and relevant regardless of your location or sector. They also share good content via @theICspace on Twitter.
I blogged about the site when it first launched back in 2014:
Focusing on excellent communications
Government communicators enter The IC Space.
Found this article useful? Why not share it on.
Post author: Rachel Miller
First published on the All Things IC blog 28 May 2016.
