Call for clear language to defeat public sector jargon

Published on Sunday 29 November 2009 22:44

SOME public sector jargon is so confusing that its victims should have the right to have those responsible investigated for maladministration, MPs said yesterday.

An influential Commons committee claimed government gobbledegook was so bad people were suffering "tangible harm" such as missing out on benefits.

The call for much-mocked impenetrable language to be taken seriously followed an investigation of the English used by politicians and civil servants.

The committee also warned that the use of euphemisms such as "extraordinary rendition" and "collateral damage" to hide unpleasant realities was fuelling public cynicism with politics.

"Long, complex official forms, officious letters and confusing requests for information can all deter individuals from attempting to deal with public authorities," the committee concluded.

Examples quoted of the "unlovely language of this unreal world" included: roll-out, step change, public domain, fit for purpose, stakeholder engagement, across the piece, win-win, level playing field and going forwards.

Sterile jargon was "the enemy of clear thought", the committee said.