Lord Deben is as intrepid and combative an advocate for the environment as anyone concerned about climate change could want. Better known as John Gummer, the former environment minister and now chair of the Committee on Climate Change tells Geoffrey Lyons why the UK’s current climate trajectory is worrying, and how it will be affected by Trump and Brexit.
"When we first launched, we had no senior champions and no official support from the department... we compiled data, built an evidence base, and did everything we needed to do to prove our worth and why we were needed"
Ian Ackerley left the world of commercial banking to join NS&I as its chief executive last year. He speaks to Jonathan Owen about the need to turn Britain from being a nation of spenders to a nation of savers
"When I was at college, I never knew the civil service was for everyone to join, it thought it was a unique ‘club’. We need to make sure all new talent realises it is a career option for anyone."
"There are plenty of positive professional role models in the technology industry, but getting access to them is not easy"
A Spending Review offers a chance to re-examine projects and plans from the last four years – and to lay the groundwork for the next round of schemes. Government project chief Tony Meggs tells Richard Johnstone how the Infrastructure and Projects Authority will use the process to help drive improvement
Elizabeth Gardiner, the first parliamentary counsel, leads the team that writes the UK’s legislation. She tells Suzannah Brecknell what makes a good bill, how departments can help, and what Brexit will mean for those who craft the law of the land
As the use of social impact bonds in public policy increases, so too are efforts to measure the “SIB effect” across a host of services. Mara Airoldi, director of the Government Outcomes Lab at the Blavatnik School of Government, looks at the current state of play of social impact bonds
The NCA’s Nina Cope tells Tamsin Rutter about the agency’s aim to break down barriers, and help cement its reputation at the “pinnacle of law enforcement”
Matthew Rycroft has undertaken some challenging foreign policy roles in government, from helping end the war in Bosnia to facing down Russia in the UN security council. As he settles into his new role as permanent secretary of the Department for International Development he speaks to Richard Johnstone about the need for closer links with other departments, and the importance of showing what’s possible through the international aid budget
The NHS in Scotland is run by one of the country’s most senior and experienced civil servants – closely tying operational and policy management together. Paul Gray tells Richard Johnstone about the benefits of integration, and the need to plan for tomorrow
Simon Stevens played a pivotal role in securing a £20bn funding boost ahead of the 70th birthday of the NHS. With its finances on a more stable footing, the NHS England chief executive wants to use this moment as a springboard to ensure the health services’ long-term future. He talks to Sebastian Whale.