From patchwork to purpose: Why Whitehall needs a cross-government theory of change
08 Oct

From patchwork to purpose: Why Whitehall needs a cross-government theory of change

Ministers and officials alike are trapped in cycles of reform that lead to fragmentation and delivery failure. Britain needs a shared philosophy focused on outcomes to connect pounds and people to purpose
by Patrick Diamond and Vijay K. Luthra
The Fast Stream’s record interest is worth celebrating – but the real challenge lies in retention
06 Oct Civil Service Reform
The Fast Stream’s record interest is worth celebrating – but the real challenge lies in retention
Why a new birth cohort study matters for civil servants across the UK
02 Oct Social Research
Why a new birth cohort study matters for civil servants across the UK
Booming interest in the Fast Stream is good news – and a major opportunity
30 Sep Civil Service Reform
Booming interest in the Fast Stream is good news – and a major opportunity
Upgrading the public sector’s operating system: Making collaboration a core capability Partner Content
08 Oct Civil Service Reform
Upgrading the public sector’s operating system: Making collaboration a core capability
As mission-led reform gathers pace, it’s clear the public sector’s operating system needs an upgrade. PA’s Guy Neale, collaboration design expert, and Elaine Whyte, programme delivery expert, explore how embedding collaboration as a core capability can help build a system fit to deliver on ambitious national missions with pace and purpose
Beyond policy: Engineering a healthier UK Partner Content
07 Oct Health & Social Care
Beyond policy: Engineering a healthier UK
Prevention is better than cure, but delivering it demands more than good intentions. Anisha Mayor, head of healthcare at WSP, argues that the government’s 10-Year Health Plan, whilst positive, can only succeed through bold partnerships, innovative funding, and by embedding prevention into the fabric of everyday life
Digital assets and public policy: Insights from regulators at the London Blockchain Conference Partner Content
06 Oct Economics
Digital assets and public policy: Insights from regulators at the London Blockchain Conference
Regulation of digital assets is becoming real, as policymakers face the challenge of promoting innovation while ensuring proper oversight. Alex Stein, Conference Director of the London Blockchain Conference, on how the event will focus on regulation and encourage discussions among government, regulators, and industry
Understanding the AI opportunity in government Partner Content
02 Oct Digital, Data & Technology
Understanding the AI opportunity in government
Delegates at Capita’s inaugural Future Gov Summit heard industry and subject matter expert speakers describe opportunities, experiences and success stories about AI in government. This piece is the first of three, capturing the key takeaways from the event
The myth of the startup state
26 Sep Civil Service Reform
The myth of the startup state
Reformers often argue that government should be run like a business, but the analogy isn't always a helpful one
How can government get employee exits and redundancies right?
25 Sep Civil Service Reform
How can government get employee exits and redundancies right?
The challenge is not just to reduce numbers, but to retain skills and capability, all while maintaining morale
From blueprint to delivery: Building the next stage of cross-government digital infrastructure Partner Content
25 Sep Digital, Data & Technology
From blueprint to delivery: Building the next stage of cross-government digital infrastructure
Drawing on his policy and digital service experience across the public and private sectors, former civil servant Alexander Nash explains why looking sideways, exploring proven solutions, and prioritising user needs are crucial to building real change
From the editor: What it takes to do a job well
24 Sep Civil Service Reform
From the editor: What it takes to do a job well
As the new editor of CSW's quarterly magazine, I’ve been gleaning wisdom from interviewees in the latest issue
The human handbrake: Why good ideas so often ‘hit the wall’ in Whitehall
24 Sep Civil Service Reform
The human handbrake: Why good ideas so often ‘hit the wall’ in Whitehall
Whitehall rewards “policy heroes” over those who can deliver
Promising to do more with less has obvious attractions – but what happens if these gains fail to materialise?
22 Sep Civil Service Reform
Promising to do more with less has obvious attractions – but what happens if these gains fail to materialise?
Cutting administrative budgets could end up cutting the quantity or quality of what the civil service provides, which wouldn't increase productivity at all
Bridging the trust gap: Civil servants call for honesty over hype in government’s AI transformation Partner Content
22 Sep HR
Bridging the trust gap: Civil servants call for honesty over hype in government’s AI transformation
As government and public sector bodies expand the use of AI and automation, new research finds that staff are not asking for perfection, but rather purpose, trust, and inclusion
Book your free place: Mental Health & Wellbeing Conference 2025 | 6–10 October | Online Partner Content
18 Sep HR
Book your free place: Mental Health & Wellbeing Conference 2025 | 6–10 October | Online
Over five days, a world-class lineup of speakers will share practical tools, lived experience, and expert insights across a diverse range of topics
Why I feel privileged to judge the Ethnic Minorities into Leadership Awards
17 Sep HR
Why I feel privileged to judge the Ethnic Minorities into Leadership Awards
Recognition programmes spotlight exceptional talent that might otherwise remain invisible, challenge organisations to examine their advancement practices and provide inspirational examples for the next generation
Unlocking social value through place, people and procurement Partner Content
16 Sep Operational Delivery
Unlocking social value through place, people and procurement
Procurement can be a powerful tool for inclusive growth. From supporting prison leavers and veterans into employment to diversifying the supply chain, Amey’s place-based approach is helping to unlock potential and deliver lasting impact across communities. Writes social value lead Michelle Wiggins
The changing face of illicit trade in the UK Partner Content
15 Sep Policy
The changing face of illicit trade in the UK
Former Met DCI, Will O’Reilly, has spent 12 years combating illicit trade in the UK as an external
consultant and undercover operator. Working with Philip Morris Limited, he explains the changing face of illicit trade as organised crime groups tighten their grip on the trade
Ministerial reshuffles and the centre of government: What should civil servants expect now?
12 Sep Civil Service Reform
Ministerial reshuffles and the centre of government: What should civil servants expect now?
What’s changed? What does it mean for the centre of government? And how should civil servants and ministers adapt?
Scenario-based learning is crucial for successful AI adoption across government Partner Content
12 Sep Digital, Data & Technology
Scenario-based learning is crucial for successful AI adoption across government
AI promises to transform public services, but without the right skills, that promise risks falling flat. Lewis Hodges, Senior Consultant at AtkinsRéalis, shares how scenario-based learning could be the missing link between bold ambition and real-world impact
Human-centric by default: What it means and why it matters Partner Content
11 Sep Digital, Data & Technology
Human-centric by default: What it means and why it matters
A technically flawless system can still fail if it doesn't work for the people using it. A human-centric by-default approach means: Designing and/or delivering for real-world scenarios, not just ideal workflows, recognising emotional and cognitive factors like stress, fatigue, and multitasking all impact how people interact with systems
If delivery is the government's focus, stability is one of the best ways to deliver it
09 Sep Operational Delivery
If delivery is the government's focus, stability is one of the best ways to deliver it
What began as a week focused on delivery ended with a major cabinet reshuffle. But ministers need time to get up to speed and for every new appointment, there is a price to pay on delivery
Home Responsibilities Protection – how a lack of trust and fear of scams can undermine government’s intentions
09 Sep
Home Responsibilities Protection – how a lack of trust and fear of scams can undermine government’s intentions
The challenge government faces from scams isn’t just to protect public money but also to create systems that build public trust
From missions to milestones: what the Mission Delivery Unit’s move to No.10 tells us about delivery from the centre
08 Sep Civil Service Reform
From missions to milestones: what the Mission Delivery Unit’s move to No.10 tells us about delivery from the centre
Could this be the moment the centre can at last provide a single view of how priorities, pounds and people connect?
In praise of the process: Laurie Magnus’s report on Angela Rayner
08 Sep Politics & Constitution
In praise of the process: Laurie Magnus’s report on Angela Rayner
Magnus's report exemplified the kind of rigorous, fair process that underpins democratic integrity
The Fast Stream needs to rediscover its sense of purpose
04 Sep HR
The Fast Stream needs to rediscover its sense of purpose
A smaller Fast Stream – laser-focused on developing future leaders – would deliver more for the civil service and the country
A charity just for you Partner Content
04 Sep HR
A charity just for you
When life takes an unexpected turn, civil servants don’t have to handle it alone