For AI to serve the public, we need comprehensive reform – Labour's data bill isn't the answer
02 Jun Digital, Data & Technology

For AI to serve the public, we need comprehensive reform – Labour's data bill isn't the answer

The new law will quietly water down the imperfect backstop regulation that has limited the decisions which can be fully automated
by Joseph Summers
If the government is serious about closing the SME gap, it must go beyond ticking boxes and embrace structural change
29 May Commercial
If the government is serious about closing the SME gap, it must go beyond ticking boxes and embrace structural change
The government needs a workforce plan to inform civil service relocation
21 May Civil Service Reform
The government needs a workforce plan to inform civil service relocation
Whitehall needs a better understanding of science. Here's how to make that happen
20 May Science & Engineering
Whitehall needs a better understanding of science. Here's how to make that happen
Transforming local authority services with geospatial data Partner Content
03 Jun Local & Devolved
Transforming local authority services with geospatial data
Francesca Downey of AtkinsRéalis discusses a project that helped a local authority transform its geospatial services to benefit its residents
Citizen experience at scale: The challenge for reimagining public services Partner Content
03 Jun Operational Delivery
Citizen experience at scale: The challenge for reimagining public services
Tailoring public services to different citizen needs will be a key strand of the next wave of digital reform – but how can public sector organisations do it while also delivering at scale and with tight budgets? A recent CSW webinar, in partnership with KPMG, explored the latest findings on what citizens really think about public services and how to turn those insights into drivers for sustainable change
What works with AI in government: Hard-won lessons from the field Partner Content
27 May Digital, Data & Technology
What works with AI in government: Hard-won lessons from the field
Senior leaders from HMRC, Capita and DSIT share how their teams are blending automation with human expertise to deliver better services
From service to second careers: Unlocking veterans’ potential in the public sector Partner Content
23 May Health & Social Care
From service to second careers: Unlocking veterans’ potential in the public sector
Despite a wealth of transferable skills, too many veterans move into lower-skilled roles after service. Salli Shapcott of Serco argues it’s time the public sector tapped this overlooked talent
Doing the next thing right: How civil services leaders are redefining productivity Partner Content
16 May Civil Service Reform
Doing the next thing right: How civil services leaders are redefining productivity
With the next Spending Review looming, civil service leaders are under renewed pressure to deliver measurable productivity gains. A recent CSW-Deloitte webinar revealed why the solutions may lie beyond digital transformation
Three elements to unlock private investment in transport infrastructure Partner Content
14 May Transport
Three elements to unlock private investment in transport infrastructure
Colette Carroll, AtkinsRéalis Managing Director for Transportation, UK & Ireland, outlines how a clear investment playbook, empowered regions and innovation can unlock private capital to deliver place-led growth
Should we be worried about the decline of parliamentary scrutiny?
09 May Brexit
Should we be worried about the decline of parliamentary scrutiny?
Complaints about declining standards of government scrutiny by parliament have been commonplace in recent times – particularly during the troubled years of Brexit and Covid. But how can such claims be objectively assessed, and crucially, have scrutiny standards since recovered?
CSSC gives the public sector the nudge to budge this spring Partner Content
09 May Health & Social Care
CSSC gives the public sector the nudge to budge this spring
CSSC’s Active Wellbeing is back with a brand-new challenge to encourage everyone to be more active and focus on their wellbeing this May
Dinosaurs, data and digital policy: What are the woolly mammoths in the room?
08 May Digital, Data & Technology
Dinosaurs, data and digital policy: What are the woolly mammoths in the room?
Doug Gurr, newly appointed interim chair of the CMA and director of the Natural History Museum, warns that the UK is missing out on the fruits of scientific research
The government must avoid creating a destabilised culture in Whitehall Exclusive
06 May Civil Service Reform
The government must avoid creating a destabilised culture in Whitehall
While our friends across the Atlantic favour the ostentatious and outrageous when it comes to tackling inefficiency, we must take a different approach
Book review: A short but powerful exploration of whether the UK has the constitutional resilience to resist the demands of a rogue PM
30 Apr Politics & Constitution
Book review: A short but powerful exploration of whether the UK has the constitutional resilience to resist the demands of a rogue PM
It’s high time for British politicians to consider the question Peter Hennessy and Andrew Blick pose: could it happen here?
Bold goals and grand challenges: What ‘missions’ mean in practice
22 Apr Policy
Bold goals and grand challenges: What ‘missions’ mean in practice
Civil servants have a vital role to play in making the government’s mission-led agenda a success. Experts from UCL’s Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose set out what this really means
Agentic AI: The future of government operations and citizen services Partner Content
22 Apr Digital, Data & Technology
Agentic AI: The future of government operations and citizen services
Agentic AI technology can transform complex processes and help the civil service deliver a higher quality, human service to citizens. Sameer Vuyyuru, Chief AI and Product Officer at Capita, shares insights from testing use cases to lead the way forward
‘Unwritten rules’ are impeding a diverse civil service. Here's how managers can help
17 Apr HR
‘Unwritten rules’ are impeding a diverse civil service. Here's how managers can help
Civil service recruitment is notoriously off-putting for those without connections or "insider knowledge". So what can be done about the problem?
'The unrivalled highlight of my career to date': Departing MoJ perm sec Antonia Romeo looks back
10 Apr Justice & Home Affairs
'The unrivalled highlight of my career to date': Departing MoJ perm sec Antonia Romeo looks back
As she heads to the Home Office, Antonia Romeo reflects on leadership lessons and memorable moments at the Ministry of Justice
Why is it so hard to sell an idea to government (even one that could make millions for the public purse)?
04 Apr Commercial
Why is it so hard to sell an idea to government (even one that could make millions for the public purse)?
To an outsider, reaching the right civil servants with an idea that could revolutionise services or save money seems impossible
As the Freedom of Information Act turns 20, can it outwit the delete button?
03 Apr Communications
As the Freedom of Information Act turns 20, can it outwit the delete button?
The positive effects of FoI risk being undermined by private communication channels
The transformative potential that Microsoft Copilot 365 can bring to public sector Partner Content
28 Mar Digital, Data & Technology
The transformative potential that Microsoft Copilot 365 can bring to public sector
AI could save the public sector £17bn by 2035 - but only if we use it right1. Toby Barnard, Managing Director, UK Public Sector, at QA discusses how investing in AI adoption and training now will prepare public sector organisations for sustained success in the digital future
When something goes wrong, it is often the case that 'someone knew'
26 Mar Civil Service Reform
When something goes wrong, it is often the case that 'someone knew'
Leaders must have confidence to take action when issues are raised
'Yes, Minister?' More like 'I don't know, Minister!'
25 Mar Civil Service Reform
'Yes, Minister?' More like 'I don't know, Minister!'
Experience suggests arbitrary efficiency targets will drive entirely the wrong outcomes
Collaboration: The secret to success Partner Content
24 Mar Leadership
Collaboration: The secret to success
Successful public infrastructure projects rely on strong collaboration. Mike Reade of Balfour Beatty explores how structured frameworks, early contractor involvement and cross-sector partnerships drive efficiency, innovation, and long-term value for government and communities
ALBs and government shared services: The cost of inaction for future success Partner Content
20 Mar Digital, Data & Technology
ALBs and government shared services: The cost of inaction for future success
Civiteq’s Central Government shared service experts, Terri Williams and Helena Sedgwick, on why ALBs should take heed of the government shared services strategy, recognising potential failures and avoiding them to achieve a successful transition
From the editor: Civil servants need to know their primary duty
19 Mar Civil Service Reform
From the editor: Civil servants need to know their primary duty
Civil servants need clarity to navigate ethical choices
Innovation isn't quite dead – but it needs a good jolt from the defibrillator
18 Mar Civil Service Reform
Innovation isn't quite dead – but it needs a good jolt from the defibrillator
Innovation within public services isn’t just desirable, it’s vital, argues Tony Mears