How to drive to work checklist looks more like a pilot checklist.

Two booklets, a flowchart and SIX different forms: The Ministry of Justice's advice on how to drive to work

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 1:35 PM on 21st October 2010

With Whitehall facing more than £80billion in spending cuts, it appears the Ministry of Justice would do well to look to their own paperwork.

Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke's department, which is facing 23 per cent cuts following the spending review, has been pulled up for bureaucracy over staff and driving.

It has compiled two full-colour booklets, a flowchart, an FAQ document and more than six different forms to ensure staff are safe on official business.

The Ministry of Justice is facing 23 per cent cuts after the spending review

Workers are also advised to keep four different pieces of paperwork in the car at all times, according to the Liberal Democrat Voice website. 

This is in contrast to the HM Treasury, which has just two short sections on driving and procedure in its staff policy paperwork. 

The Cabinet Office does not even have any guidance for staff - simply declaring everyone should follow Road Traffic rules and the Highway Code. 

The Department of Transport manages with just two-and-a-half pages of advice. 

The Ministry of Justice's 17-page, full-colour document includes an 11 point 'Purpose' section.

It includes 'implementing management and accident procedures using appropriate forms before any official driving duties are undertaken'.

Forms to fill out include Driving on Official Duty Declaration Form, Driving Risk Assessment Form, Driver / Vehicle Documentation Check Form and Driver Journey Log. 

In addition, there is a 14-step safe driving chart, a Frequently Asked Questions list containing 18 questions and yet another colour pamphlet 'Supporting you - safe policy driving statement'.

The latter is signed by the Permanent Chief Secretary, showing that the bureaucracy is sanctioned up by the most senior officials.

Drivers are also told to use a separate Guidance on eye care document.

 

Yet more paperwork results because managers have to be trained on how to comply with the rules and drivers can also ask for training on how to follow the policy.

The Ministry of Justice - which runs the prison and probation service - is one of the largest departments in Whitehall, with a budget of over £9billion and a workforce of around 95,000.

It is having to scrap shorter jail sentences in favour of tough community sentences to reduce the number of criminals in jail in order to save money. 

Some 14,000 jobs in the department are expected to go, including 9,940 from prisons and probation. More than 100 magistrates' courts and 54 country courts will close.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1322476/Two-booklets-flowchart-FAQs-SIX-different-forms-The-Ministry-Justice-advice-staff-drivers.html#ixzz12zwEApZZ