Civil Service World

Cost of protecting key communication link deemed prohibitive in 1990

The stories you may have missed as the government released a host of statements on the last day before summer recess

National Archives files reveal that 1,420 Whitehall staff were monitored by security services

Bonus for prime minister’s Brexit adviser Oliver Robbins singled out for ire from Brexiteer MPs

FCO warns “situation is becoming unsustainable” as 70% of staff leaving department cite poor pay as top reason

John Manzoni says department has taken appropriate action and defends decision not to publish inquiry

Meg Hillier letter says committee remains worried that timely delivery of a fully functioning new customs system as part of government’s no deal Brexit plans remains uncertain

Staff switch comes as government seeks to bolster negotiating teams following Chequers proposal

Select committee warns that an international development plan focused on trade alone could actively disadvantage the most marginalised groups

Crawford Falconer says “world is begging to trade with UK” in first full interview since taking up role

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

New Brexit secretary Dominic Raab defends White Paper on future relationship between UK and EU as “principled and practical”