The briefings against Chris Wormald damage the trust that is essential to good government
23 Oct Civil Service Reform

The briefings against Chris Wormald damage the trust that is essential to good government

For the Cummings admirers in No.10 reading this: Anyone can break a system down, putting it back together is a different skill
by Dave Penman
The UK needs regulation – but we can do it an awful lot better
24 Oct Civil Service Reform
The UK needs regulation – but we can do it an awful lot better
How much money could the government's Covid fraud voluntary repayment scheme recover?
23 Oct Coronavirus
How much money could the government's Covid fraud voluntary repayment scheme recover?
One body, two missions: How Skills England is working with partners to drive opportunity and growth
16 Oct Education
One body, two missions: How Skills England is working with partners to drive opportunity and growth
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
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