From the impact of Covid-19 to dealing with the impact of climate change, government has never gated greater policy challenges. But, as recent work on developing policy strategies for carbon capture and storage shows, civil servants can get help from academics to find the right solutions. Professor Karen Turner, the director from the Centre for Energy Policy at the University of Strathclyde, explains

Two former directors general – now leadership coaches – share their observations about civil servants seizing opportunities to innovate

Instead of invoking the Civil Contingencies Act when the pandemic broke out, the government drafted its own coronavirus bill. Could it be because of the CCA's emphasis on scrutiny?

Gareth Davies, head of the National Audit Office, shares his thoughts on auditing the government’s response to Covid-19 and the launch of the NAO’s new strategy

Symbolic numbers picked to deflect public pressure can create more problems than they solve

The civil service does not need the distraction of over 200 separate pay negotiations in the middle of a pandemic, argue the general secretaries of the FDA and Prospect unions

Recent appointments may have gone to experienced insiders, but the new civil service chief operating officer must build on the momentum of outsider John Manzoni and help tackle persistent problems

As the civil service responds to the immense challenges of  the coronavirus pandemic, they have achieved something incredible - leaving Dave Penman (almost) lost for words

A civil servant offers some homespun wisdom on the highs and lows of remote working during a pandemic – and discovers it is anything but pants

"All over government, people are being asked to deliver the totally impossible at unimaginable speed."

Only the prime minister can address the growing fracture in the relationship between ministers and officials. But will he?

NHS staff deserve our support on the frontline of the battle against coronavirus, but they are supported by an unseen army of dedicated people. Let’s think of them tonight too, says Prospect’s Garry Graham

As part of Civil Service World’s Digital Transformation special edition, we asked sector experts to share their insight on how a broad range of near-term advances in technology will transform the way public services are delivered.

As part of Civil Service World’s Digital Transformation special edition, we asked sector experts to share their insight on how a broad range of near-term advances in technology will transform the way public services are delivered.

As part of Civil Service World’s Digital Transformation special edition, we asked sector experts to share their insight on how a broad range of near-term advances in technology will transform the way public services are delivered.

As part of CSW’s Digital Transformation special edition, we asked sector experts to share their insight on how a broad range of near-term advances in technology will transform the way public services are delivered, and we will be sharing their thoughts all this week. In this first entry, Tom Read the chief digital and information officer at the Ministry of Justice, looks at the opportunities in the sector

The UK government blazed a trail on digital innovation, but others are catching up fast and it would be all too easy to squander the advantage of earlier work

"There is still a lot more Brexit legislation to come – and in substance, at least, it could prove controversial"

The Rutnam resignation has exposed underlying tensions between ministers and civil servants, says Institute for Government programme director Alex Thomas

Better data is transforming official statistics and there is huge potential for it to help resolve large and pressing issues facing society, says the national statistician

The government’s Covid-19 response has been driven by expert advice, in a way that isn’t always clear in public policy. Can it stay that way throughout the crisis?

The Conservative Party’s newfound interest in the north of England could be a game-changer for civil servants. Or it might just be a passing fad

The UK government has kept the devolved administrations at arm’s length during the Brexit process. That makes for fraught relationships

The UK’s formal exit from the European Union has seen the government try to move the country’s focus from Brexit. But civil servants will have no such luxury