Crumbling concrete intervention proves why ex-senior civil servants shouldn't always stay quiet
08 Sep Education

Crumbling concrete intervention proves why ex-senior civil servants shouldn't always stay quiet

It takes a great deal for a former permanent secretary to intervene. I believe Jonathan Slater’s intervention on RAAC puts him on the right side of history
by Dave Penman
Competitive procurement could save government billions
11 Sep Analysis
Competitive procurement could save government billions
Thinking of quitting your civil service job? Here's what you should consider first
07 Jul HR
Thinking of quitting your civil service job? Here's what you should consider first
Clear vision is needed from government to fix the labour market puzzle
29 Jun Policy
Clear vision is needed from government to fix the labour market puzzle
Capitalising on culture: how your people unlock innovation Partner Content
27 Sep Project Delivery
Capitalising on culture: how your people unlock innovation
Solving our most pressing societal challenges will require innovative thinking. How do you develop a culture that makes innovation business as usual? Shaun Delaney, Global Head of Public Services at PA Consulting, has some advice
Intelligent Virtual Assistants can transform your contact centre Partner Content
21 Sep Digital, Data & Technology
Intelligent Virtual Assistants can transform your contact centre
Peter Wilson, Fujitsu Public Sector Industry Advisor, explains why IVAs can help your organisation's call centre meet increased demand with enhanced customer satisfaction, and boost agent productivity and performance while reducing operational costs
From the editor: Civil service reform requires hard work and moral conviction
26 Jun HR
From the editor: Civil service reform requires hard work and moral conviction
CSW's editors consider the arc of change in the civil service and reflect on our summer issue
Bridging the gap: bringing local evidence to national policy
19 Jun Economics
Bridging the gap: bringing local evidence to national policy
Urgency to address regional disparities is clear and urgent shouldn’t mean we invest in untested, ideas, policies or businesses without evidence or strategy
Civil servants feel undervalued. The revised pay offer is an opportunity for a reset
15 Jun HR
Civil servants feel undervalued. The revised pay offer is an opportunity for a reset
The government’s shift in approach on pay is a positive signal, but to really change it must face up to facts and lead – rather than undermine – its officials
George Eustice is right: ministers should spend more time with junior civil servants
18 May HR
George Eustice is right: ministers should spend more time with junior civil servants
While the civil service is dominated by generalists when it comes to policy, junior civil servants may be the closest thing ministers have to experts
Rethinking public policy: How universities can help policymakers keep up with the times Partner Content
15 May HR
Rethinking public policy: How universities can help policymakers keep up with the times
Ricky Kanabar, Associate Professor of Social Policy, University of Bath, on forming the next generation of policy leaders with the ability to distil research and develop effective strategies to ensure policy achieves its intended outcomes
5 best practices for delivering civil service learning and development Partner Content
12 May Education
5 best practices for delivering civil service learning and development
Learn why each of these strategies is important for delivering effective public sector training courses and how you can achieve them for your team
The Raab-resignation circus shows we need an independent look at ministerial bullying
25 Apr Civil Service Reform
The Raab-resignation circus shows we need an independent look at ministerial bullying
The UK government should follow the example of parliament, Scotland and Wales to improve the way complaints of bullying are handled
From the editor: Civil servants are not to blame for Raab's behaviour
24 Apr HR
From the editor: Civil servants are not to blame for Raab's behaviour
We must challenge the victim-blaming narrative that Raab is a martyr to the civil service blob
Defence spend analysis: A look at the 2023 Spring Budget Partner Content
11 Apr Commercial
Defence spend analysis: A look at the 2023 Spring Budget
The additional £5 billion allocated to Defence represents an attempt to match increased resources against policy priorities and security concerns within the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Proxima’s Justin Reuter takes a look at what this means for commercial teams in the department
Silence is not golden: The civil service must enable a 'speak-up' environment
06 Apr HR
Silence is not golden: The civil service must enable a 'speak-up' environment
A culture of silence is dangerous for the workplace. Employees should be able to voice concerns without fear of reprisal
In praise of middle managers
05 Apr HR
In praise of middle managers
Middle managers are much maligned but their role in navigating the tricky terrain between the top team and the frontline is a vital one
The people with the purse strings are on the same side as you – here's how to play the government spending game
24 Mar Finance
The people with the purse strings are on the same side as you – here's how to play the government spending game
If you’ve felt that the government spending game is stacked against you trying to do the thing that feels obviously right: it’s not just you
Letting ethical standards slip has corrosive consequences beyond No.10
22 Mar HR
Letting ethical standards slip has corrosive consequences beyond No.10
FDA general secretary Dave Penman warns Rishi Sunak of the impact of letting standards in public life fall by the wayside
Every improvement is a change – but not every change is an improvement
07 Mar Civil Service Reform
Every improvement is a change – but not every change is an improvement
NAO's Alec Steel reflects on learning from working with 120 services across government and offers practical advice on making improvements, rather than just changes
The ICO's collaborative approach shows multi-million pound fines aren't the only route to effective regulation
06 Mar Digital, Data & Technology
The ICO's collaborative approach shows multi-million pound fines aren't the only route to effective regulation
Regulation works best when we work alongside organisations – an approach that has paid off for DfE, the information commissioner writes
Data assurance can help grow the UK economy, but trust in data is hard won
10 Feb Digital, Data & Technology
Data assurance can help grow the UK economy, but trust in data is hard won
Mistrust between those who share, collect and use data reduces the potential value that can be generated, and the UK has a significant role to play in providing services that establish trust in data
To ensure trust in the Raab investigation, Sunak must prioritise people rather than political control
09 Feb HR
To ensure trust in the Raab investigation, Sunak must prioritise people rather than political control
Everything must be done to give confidence to those who have made the enormously difficult decision to raise complaints against some of the most powerful people in the country
What's it really like for civil servants when departments are broken up?
07 Feb HR
What's it really like for civil servants when departments are broken up?

The policy and strategy arguments for reshaping Whitehall may be strong, says former senior official Dunstan Hadley, but the human upheaval and logistical nightmare should never be overlooked
Public sector leaders need to keep talking about standards
24 Jan HR
Public sector leaders need to keep talking about standards
An approach which focuses only on compliance is a missed opportunity. Leaders have the opportunity to galvanise the people in their organisations to aim high
Eyes on the prize: How to improve civil service delivery
20 Jan Operational Delivery
Eyes on the prize: How to improve civil service delivery
With big savings and a better citizen experience up for grabs, the NAO’s Alec Steel offers practical advice on using information to improve service delivery
As fast streamers gear up to strike, ministers must wake up to the damage already done
19 Jan HR
As fast streamers gear up to strike, ministers must wake up to the damage already done
Ministers may talk about “union barons”, but the disputes are unions responding to their members, not the other way around
Sunak must go beyond fine words to repair the damage to the UK's governing institutions
12 Jan HR
Sunak must go beyond fine words to repair the damage to the UK's governing institutions
Scrapping the civil service job-cuts target will go some way to restoring relations, but reputations cannot be repaired overnight