Social Research in HM Treasury
Purpose and aims of the Treasury
The Treasury is the United Kingdom's economics and finance ministry. It
is responsible for formulating and implementing the Government's financial
and economic policy. Its aim is to raise the rate of sustainable growth,
and achieve rising prosperity and a better quality of life with economic
and employment opportunities for all.
HM Treasury objectives and performance targets
Objective I: Maintain a stable macroeconomic environment
with low inflation and sound public finances in accordance with the Code
for Fiscal Stability.
Objective II: Increase the productivity of the economy
and expand economic and employment opportunities for all.
Objective III: Promote efficient, stable and fair financial
markets, for their users and the economy.
Objective IV: Promote a fair, efficient and integrated
tax and benefit system with incentives to work, save and invest.
Objective V: Promote UK economic prospects by pursuing
increased productivity and efficiency in the EU, international financial
stability and increased global prosperity, especially protecting the most
vulnerable.
Objective VI: Improve the quality and the cost-effectiveness
of public services.
Objective VII: Achieve world-class standards of financial
management in government.
Objective VIII: Protect and improve the environment by
using instruments that will deliver efficient and sustainable outcomes through
evidence-based policies.
Government Social Research Unit
Social researchers in theTreasury are located in the Government Social
Research Unit (GSRU).
The Head of the Government Social Research service and supporting office (GSRU) provide
strategic leadership to the Government Social Research service and support
it in delivering an effective service. It has a broad role in promoting
the use of evidence in strategy, policy and delivery and leads on strategic
social research issues and standards for social research in government.
- It represents GSR and its work within government and in the wider research
community.
- It provides practical support and advice to Departments on the organisation
and delivery of research and on recruitment, career development and training.
GSRU works closely with the GSR Heads of Profession group, the GSR training
committee and the GSR communications committee.
- It provides a social research function for the Treasury.
What GSRU offers:
Consultancy Advice
- Technical and methodological advice about social research, policy evaluation
and evidence-based policy making.
- Departmental social research capacity and professional issues. · Career
and recruitment issues for GSR.
- Providing and reviewing evidence in support of the Comprehensive Spending
Review in HM Treasury.
Training and Seminars
- We run a series of professional development courses on social research
methods and evaluation. These range from sampling and statistical analysis
to systematic reviews and meta-analysis. These courses run regularly in
response to demand. They are open to all GSR members. We can also tailor
courses to fit particular departmental needs and deliver them in-house.
- Free seminars for social researchers, other analysts and policy makers
on current methods and issues in social research and policy evaluation
- Email GSRU
Seminars for further information about our training and seminars.
Good Practice guidance and information on current issues
- We run the Policy Hub website which aims to be the first port of call
for improvements in policy making and delivery. For more information email
John Scott Cree
- We produce the Magenta Book - a guidance manual on good practice in
social research and policy evaluation
- We produce reports on key issues in social science research and evaluation,
for example: Quality in Qualitative Evaluation: A Framework for Assessing
Research Evidence
- We are developing a strategic framework for the ethical assurance of
government social research. This work includes a set of ethical standards
for use across government and a system to help embed these standards into
daily working practice. Promotion of Government Social Research
- On behalf of GSR, we have developed this website to share information
on GSR issues including training courses, careers information, useful
links and contacts, events, projects and GSRU activities. It also provides
a link between government departments and the wider research community.
· We take an active role in promoting GSR as a career, as a service within
departments and in the wider research community.
How to contact us
For further information about GSRU in the Treasury please Email: GSR
Web Team
Or write to us at:
GSRU
HM Treasury
Room G.38
1 Horse Guards Road
London
SW1A 2HQ
