Fraud and error: DWP has wisely put more focus on prevention – now it must put its vision into practice
05 Nov Fraud, Error Debt & Grants

Fraud and error: DWP has wisely put more focus on prevention – now it must put its vision into practice

Extra funding for fraud and error activity, and lessons learned from its interventions to date, present DWP with opportunities to increase the scale and impact of its approach
by Laura Brackwell
Drowning in digital: Why digital transformation is not improving productivity
10 Dec Digital, Data & Technology
Drowning in digital: Why digital transformation is not improving productivity
The UK government is set to lead a global accountability initiative – here is why it matters
08 Dec Civil Service Reform
The UK government is set to lead a global accountability initiative – here is why it matters
High tax, low strategy: What the 2025 Budget tells us about the British state
02 Dec Economics
High tax, low strategy: What the 2025 Budget tells us about the British state
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
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