Penman: High Court ruling on Patel case sets an important precedent to protect civil servants
07 Dec HR

Penman: High Court ruling on Patel case sets an important precedent to protect civil servants

FDA's judicial review has made it clear the ministerial code is more than just a political document, but the case shows how much change is needed
by Dave Penman
‘Instability is a future staple’: thinking through the policy challenges of the 21st century
06 Dec Policy
‘Instability is a future staple’: thinking through the policy challenges of the 21st century
'Miles away from conveying the necessary radicalism': Priority outcomes one year on
22 Nov Finance
'Miles away from conveying the necessary radicalism': Priority outcomes one year on
With the healthcare system on its knees, 'The Saj' talks about making plans
19 Nov Finance
With the healthcare system on its knees, 'The Saj' talks about making plans
Opinion: Are we set for a levelling up reboot?
07 May Local & Devolved
Opinion: Are we set for a levelling up reboot?
A prominent MP has been appointed as the prime minister’s adviser on levelling up. What does it mean for the next stage of this agenda?
Ciaran Martin: Six security tests for the new cyber strategy
06 May Digital, Data & Technology
Ciaran Martin: Six security tests for the new cyber strategy
The government’s Integrated Review revealed that the government planning to publish a new cyber security strategy. Ciaran Martin, the former chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre, tells us what to look out for in it
Opinion: Could Covid unlocking help levelling up too?
05 May Coronavirus
Opinion: Could Covid unlocking help levelling up too?
In this month’s CSW editor’s letter, Richard Johnstone wonders if there’s an opportunity to reset the UK’s economic geography as the country emerges from the pandemic
Opinion: How can policymakers help improve the wellbeing of local communities?
26 Apr Economy
Opinion: How can policymakers help improve the wellbeing of local communities?
The coronavirus and the stalled European Super League should teach policymakers the same lesson: there is an urgent need to engage local communities in policy and delivery
Switching off: time to tackle ‘always on’ work culture
23 Apr HR
Switching off: time to tackle ‘always on’ work culture
Many civil servants have embraced working from home during the pandemic, but it also means the lines between work and home life have been blurred. The government should set out rules around out of hours engagement – but employers don’t have to wait
Julia Lopez: Data is fundamental to government. Let me know your ideas to use it better Exclusive
19 Apr
Julia Lopez: Data is fundamental to government. Let me know your ideas to use it better
The Cabinet Office minister writes for CSW to launch a new Dragons' Den-style competition to transform government data for citizens and society
Alex Thomas: Skills and spills in the civil service
19 Apr Civil Service Reform
Alex Thomas: Skills and spills in the civil service
The government is keen to boost the skills of civil servants and, even in the midst of the Greensill scandal, Whitehall needs to think about both internal training and bringing in external expertise. Here’s some ideas for reform
Yes, board member: Lord Michael Bichard on making the most of departments' non-execs
14 Apr Civil Service Reform
Yes, board member: Lord Michael Bichard on making the most of departments' non-execs
Giving departmental boards a stronger role would help government become more effective
Opinion: In the office, but out of touch
13 Apr Civil Service Reform
Opinion: In the office, but out of touch
The prime minister and chancellor have both begun encouraging people back to the workplace after Covid. But government would be much better served learning the flexible working lessons of the pandemic
Opinion: Let’s abolish the spending review
12 Apr Civil Service Reform
Opinion: Let’s abolish the spending review
Further reform of the way the government manages resources to achieve its goals is vital, says the former government lead non-executive director Sir Ian Cheshire
Colin Talbot: How public servants can make the machine work for them
09 Apr Civil Service Reform
Colin Talbot: How public servants can make the machine work for them
In the first of a new series of articles exploring developments in public sector management, Colin Talbot looks at how one social care organisation is challenging the assumptions of service delivery
Outcome delivery plans: third time lucky?
01 Apr Civil Service Reform
Outcome delivery plans: third time lucky?
The new approach to departmental planning can only really succeed if the Government can define properly what its small number of priority goals are.
Opinion: How to make the integrated review really integrated
31 Mar Security & Defence
Opinion: How to make the integrated review really integrated
The government’s Integrated Review covers everything from bombs to biodiversity, but such a wide remit requires government to think about how it will collaborate with industry and academia, says Dr Simon Harwood, the director of defence and security, Cranfield University
How civil servants can prepare for the Covid decade
30 Mar Coronavirus
How civil servants can prepare for the Covid decade
The challenges of the UK’s recovery from the pandemic will take years to sort out. A new report from the British Academy sets out some of the things policymakers need to think about to prepare
‘Sound priorities, undermined by a narrow view of security and aid cuts’: assessing the integrated review
26 Mar Security & Defence
‘Sound priorities, undermined by a narrow view of security and aid cuts’: assessing the integrated review
The government’s landmark foreign and defence policy review arrived at many of the right conclusions, but UK security could be undermined by a focus on competition when the UK’s leadership could make a bigger difference through cooperation, says Ian Mitchell, the co-director, Europe for the Center for Global Development
Make Net Zero a primary objective of all public sector investments, not just a nice-to-have Sponsored
05 Mar Energy & Environment
Make Net Zero a primary objective of all public sector investments, not just a nice-to-have
In last week’s Budget, the Chancellor announced £15bn in green bonds to help finance the transition to ‘Net Zero’ by 2050. PA Consulting asks: is this sufficient?
Opinion: DWP should ditch language of welfare and embrace social security
02 Mar Economy
Opinion: DWP should ditch language of welfare and embrace social security
Coronavirus has revealed the extent to which the country relies on the Department for Work and Pensions. Government should harness this to create a system that meets the challenges from a post-pandemic economy
Lucille Thirlby: the SCS needs more than words on pay reform
26 Feb HR
Lucille Thirlby: the SCS needs more than words on pay reform
Ministers know what is required to fix churn but the pace of change is beyond glacial, argues the FDA's assistant general secretary
Opinion: How government can help make Aria sing
23 Feb
Opinion: How government can help make Aria sing
The government’s new research agency needs the freedom to set its own mission, says former Downing Street adviser Daniel Korski
‘Recognise the opportunity’: departments urged to use procurement to build social value
22 Feb Commercial
‘Recognise the opportunity’: departments urged to use procurement to build social value
Central government departments and other public sector bodies can use their procurement powers to help build social value. Charlene Maginnis from the Crown Commercial Service sets out some tips on how to go about it
Dave Penman: Why the FDA launched a judicial review over PM’s support for Patel
22 Feb HR
Dave Penman: Why the FDA launched a judicial review over PM’s support for Patel
Boris Johnson’s backing for the home secretary despite evidence of bullying means ministers now have to meet a lower standard of conduct than civil servants. This can’t go unchallenged
Dave Penman: Lessons from HMRC’s groundbreaking pay deal
12 Feb HR
Dave Penman: Lessons from HMRC’s groundbreaking pay deal
The new pay package from HMRC shows a department that is setting the pace in pay and reward for civil servants. Other departments should hurry to catch up
Levelling up: the public perspective, region by region Sponsored
05 Feb Culture
Levelling up: the public perspective, region by region
The annual State of the State report has revealed regional differences in attitudes towards the Levelling Up agenda. Government must work with local areas to get the best results, writes Ed Roddis, director of Public Sector Research at Deloitte.
Opinion: What government cuts to the overseas aid budget mean for Global Britain
27 Jan Brexit
Opinion: What government cuts to the overseas aid budget mean for Global Britain
Dr Philip A. Berry and Dr Joe Devanny argue that Boris Johnson has overturned 15 years of Conservative Party policy on development aid and, in the process, has moved towards a narrower, meaner vision of ‘Global Britain’.