From the editor: Has the government become mission-oriented?
31 Jul Civil Service Reform

From the editor: Has the government become mission-oriented?

In the end, the Spending Review did not put mission-based working front and centre, but look closely and it's clear that the five missions did still exert some influence on the chancellor's allocations
by Jess Bowie and Suzannah Brecknell
The Fast Stream needs to rediscover its sense of purpose
04 Sep HR
The Fast Stream needs to rediscover its sense of purpose
Celebrating success and shifting the dial on diversity – nominate now for the 2025 Women into Leadership Awards
02 Sep Leadership
Celebrating success and shifting the dial on diversity – nominate now for the 2025 Women into Leadership Awards
Why chasing productivity won’t save our public services
01 Sep Civil Service Reform
Why chasing productivity won’t save our public services
Whitehall has a people problem
30 Nov 2023 Civil Service Reform
Whitehall has a people problem
The failure to grasp poor performance and painfully slow recruitment processes are impeding government’s ability to deliver for citizens
Civil service reform is back on the agenda; and there’s plenty to be done
29 Nov 2023 Civil Service Reform
Civil service reform is back on the agenda; and there’s plenty to be done
National Audit Office Director Kate Caulkin places the independent public spending watchdog’s latest report on the civil service in the context of wider reforms
'The chief exec called me his plumber because I fixed things': Reflections on 45 years in the civil service
28 Nov 2023 Finance
'The chief exec called me his plumber because I fixed things': Reflections on 45 years in the civil service
From humble beginnings as a prisoners' monies clerk to senior posts in the Treasury, Kevin Ross shares his journey through the civil service
The demand dynamic: Innovating with the market in mind Partner Content
23 Nov 2023 Operational Delivery
The demand dynamic: Innovating with the market in mind
Getting value for money from innovation is a challenge, but setting specific, local priorities brings better outcomes – on all fronts. David Rees, head of Local Government at PA Consulting, explains why and how to let demand lead the way
Solving the public sector productivity puzzle Partner Content
16 Nov 2023 Leadership
Solving the public sector productivity puzzle
Driving productivity improvements will continue to be a core focus across the public sector – regardless of who forms the next government. Fixing the flaws in how productivity is understood and measured is the first crucial step, as Baringa explains
Consultancy: Working in partnership to deliver for the UK Partner Content
16 Nov 2023 Project Delivery
Consultancy: Working in partnership to deliver for the UK
MCA chief executive Tamzen Isacsson on consultants supporting private and public sector clients to face the future during challenging times
Sunak has lost the man who would implement Maude’s civil service reforms
15 Nov 2023 Civil Service Reform
Sunak has lost the man who would implement Maude’s civil service reforms
New Cabinet Office minister John Glen should build on his predecessor Jeremy Quin’s approach to government reform
Largest shared services provider to UK Government celebrates 10 years Partner Content
10 Nov 2023 Leadership
Largest shared services provider to UK Government celebrates 10 years
SSCL has made significant savings in excess of £750m for the taxpayer by embedding shared services into the public sector through the provision of core and specialist digital solutions
How expanding the UK’s behavioural research capacity will benefit policymaking
09 Nov 2023 Policy
How expanding the UK’s behavioural research capacity will benefit policymaking
Behavioural research is fragmented in the UK, but a leadership hub hopes to change this
The AI opportunity: What we can learn from previous revolutions to fully realise the potential of AI Partner Content
09 Nov 2023 Digital, Data & Technology
The AI opportunity: What we can learn from previous revolutions to fully realise the potential of AI
The AI revolution isn’t our first rodeo, says Amanda Kelly, a public services expert at PA Consulting. So, how can we learn the lessons of the past to ensure a successful fourth industrial revolution that drives innovation and better public services in a democratic and equitable way?
Sinking companies: how should government navigate troubled waters?
07 Nov 2023 Commercial
Sinking companies: how should government navigate troubled waters?
Intervening in distressed companies can be complex, costly and require skills not widely held across government. The National Audit Office's new report and guide aim to help government maximise its resilience against the risks of company failure and be better prepared when confronted with these situations
Rethinking the planning process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects Partner Content
06 Nov 2023 Planning
Rethinking the planning process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects
Top tips for ensuring new infrastructure projects protect the natural environment without slowing down development
Johnson and Cummings thought their inherent exceptionalism would prevail over Covid. They failed time and again
06 Nov 2023 Coronavirus
Johnson and Cummings thought their inherent exceptionalism would prevail over Covid. They failed time and again
Lee Cain said Covid was “the wrong crisis" for Boris Johnson’s "skill set”. The phrase will hang round Johnson’s neck like a VW emblem on a Beastie Boy
Making data an ally to project delivery decision-making Partner Content
31 Oct 2023 Operational Delivery
Making data an ally to project delivery decision-making
Rhiannon Evans and Tom Woodhouse explain why government must improve its use of data to increase project delivery success
Transforming our urban spaces through design Partner Content
26 Oct 2023 Energy & Environment
Transforming our urban spaces through design
By embracing regenerative design, the UK can lead the way in creating thriving and resilient urban habitats and communities, says
Rahul Patalia, Director, Property & Buildings at WSP
Recent perm sec sackings show there aren't sufficient safeguards around the departure of senior officials
20 Oct 2023 Civil Service Reform
Recent perm sec sackings show there aren't sufficient safeguards around the departure of senior officials
Political alignment should never be a factor in deciding on a permanent secretary, argues the chair of the Lords Constitution Committee
Efficiency is a moral imperative – but there are few incentives in Whitehall to really do more for less
20 Oct 2023 Civil Service Reform
Efficiency is a moral imperative – but there are few incentives in Whitehall to really do more for less
Every pound that is wasted is a pound that could have been used to improve people’s lives, but little is done to recognise those who identify specific risks to spending, or operational bottlenecks to greater efficiency
Francis Maude’s review of Whitehall should lead to cross-party agreement on civil service reform
19 Oct 2023 Civil Service Reform
Francis Maude’s review of Whitehall should lead to cross-party agreement on civil service reform
Leaked proposals for a new settlement for ministers and civil servants are mostly to be welcomed
In healthcare, as elsewhere, people make mistakes. The important thing is to learn why
19 Oct 2023 Health & Social Care
In healthcare, as elsewhere, people make mistakes. The important thing is to learn why
Today there is widespread understanding that healthcare can learn from other safety-critical industries, like aviation. A new statutory body will help ensure that happens
Trust is fragile. An ambitious ombudsman reform agenda can help rebuild it
12 Oct 2023 Policy
Trust is fragile. An ambitious ombudsman reform agenda can help rebuild it
Ombudsman policy should not be kept in a glass box marked “break only in case of emergency”, Richard Blakeway says on Ombuds Day
What did Hunt’s civil service announcement mean? Your guess is as good as mine
05 Oct 2023 Brexit
What did Hunt’s civil service announcement mean? Your guess is as good as mine
With its arbitrary targets and savings based on mythical rates of headcount-growth, civil servants would be forgiven for thinking that the chancellor’s conference speech didn’t represent a serious policy from a serious government
Making strides towards Net Zero: Programme Management Offices for transformation Partner Content
03 Oct 2023 Energy & Environment
Making strides towards Net Zero: Programme Management Offices for transformation
Nigel Chisnall, transformation expert at AtkinsRéalis, outlines how Net Zero Programme Management Offices can help government to achieve its environmental goals
Capitalising on culture: how your people unlock innovation Partner Content
27 Sep 2023 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 2023 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