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
Competitive procurement could save government billions
11 Sep 2023 Analysis
Competitive procurement could save government billions
Government will continue to spend unnecessarily until it clearly defines parameters for competitive procurement and makes better use of procurement data
Crumbling concrete intervention proves why ex-senior civil servants shouldn't always stay quiet
08 Sep 2023 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
Thinking of quitting your civil service job? Here's what you should consider first
07 Jul 2023 HR
Thinking of quitting your civil service job? Here's what you should consider first
The “great resignation” has prompted many to change jobs. But could you get more satisfaction from the job you already have? Here are six questions to help clarify your career path
Clear vision is needed from government to fix the labour market puzzle
29 Jun 2023 Policy
Clear vision is needed from government to fix the labour market puzzle
The shocks of Brexit and the pandemic have led to big changes in the UK’s labour market and immigration system. Tom Sasse asks if the government’s policies add up
From the editor: Civil service reform requires hard work and moral conviction
26 Jun 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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
Book review: Simon McDonald's memoir is three books in one
23 May 2023 Foreign Affairs
Book review: Simon McDonald's memoir is three books in one
There is insight aplenty, but the memoir of this ex-diplomat may leave some readers from different backgrounds feeling a touch alienated
George Eustice is right: ministers should spend more time with junior civil servants
18 May 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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