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
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
Voluntary madness: Whitehall’s obsession with exit schemes is hollowing out the wrong people while dodging real reform
27 Aug Civil Service Reform
Voluntary madness: Whitehall’s obsession with exit schemes is hollowing out the wrong people while dodging real reform
The last thing anyone in a crisis needs is to lose precious hours to admin – government's digital upgrade can change that
12 Mar Digital, Data & Technology
The last thing anyone in a crisis needs is to lose precious hours to admin – government's digital upgrade can change that
A comprehensive overhaul of how government does digital creates an opportunity to give citizens back their time, at the times of their greatest need
To manage innovation, governments must fix procurement 
11 Mar Commercial
To manage innovation, governments must fix procurement 
Procurement systems should be like good software: fluid, flexible, and constantly evolving. Realising this transformation requires more than changing rules
Illicit trade: On the rise across the UK Partner Content
11 Mar Health & Social Care
Illicit trade: On the rise across the UK
Catherine Goger, Illicit Trade Prevention Manager at Philip Morris Limited, discusses the worsening illicit tobacco trade in the UK
Smart Local Energy Systems: A blueprint for the UK’s energy future Partner Content
11 Mar Energy & Environment
Smart Local Energy Systems: A blueprint for the UK’s energy future
The drive to achieve net zero by 2050 is prompting a shift in the UK’s energy landscape, moving away from fossil fuels towards decarbonised energy generation, widespread electrification and energy efficiency. David Aird, Amey’s Net Zero and Energy Solutions Director, explains the challenge
We need to talk about WFH: The current policy isn't working and only serious dialogue will fix it
10 Mar Civil Service Reform
We need to talk about WFH: The current policy isn't working and only serious dialogue will fix it
There is a disconnect between the stated objectives of the 60% mandate and the reality
'Public sector leaders can be deeply risk averse': What I learnt about driving innovation
06 Mar Civil Service Reform
'Public sector leaders can be deeply risk averse': What I learnt about driving innovation
Tips on understanding and tackling the barriers to new ways of working
We need a step change in how we leverage the UK's research strength
06 Mar Science & Engineering
We need a step change in how we leverage the UK's research strength
Dame Ottoline Leyser reflects on five years as chief executive of UK Research and Innovation
An Elon Musk-style public sector clear-out would be a disaster for the UK
05 Mar HR
An Elon Musk-style public sector clear-out would be a disaster for the UK
Starmer should ignore calls for a UK version of the Department of Government Efficiency – it's likely to end badly for the US
Inadequate oversight of public bodies has resulted in headline-worthy failures of delivery
04 Mar
Inadequate oversight of public bodies has resulted in headline-worthy failures of delivery
Public bodies are consistently overlooked when governments try to reform the state
The latest aid row raises a fundamental challenge for civil servants
04 Mar Foreign Affairs
The latest aid row raises a fundamental challenge for civil servants
Civil servants must be able to separate differences of opinion from ethical challenges
Smart defence: Empowered with AI Partner Content
27 Feb Security & Defence
Smart defence: Empowered with AI
The Ministry of Defence is reassessing its readiness in light of evolving global threats. While AI could revolutionise logistics and decision-making, issues of trust, governance, and culture persist. CSW speaks to IBM defence leaders to explore what it will take to move AI from theory to action
A better inquiries system is needed to deliver lasting change
27 Feb Civil Service Reform
A better inquiries system is needed to deliver lasting change
People are looking for truth and accountability; but a form of lasting change is equally, if not more, important
'There’s a mix of optimism and trepidation’: How the public – and public sector leaders – think Britain can get its mojo back
26 Feb Leadership
'There’s a mix of optimism and trepidation’: How the public – and public sector leaders – think Britain can get its mojo back
State of the state report authors find "a public hopeful that the new government can deliver change, and leaders energised by the promise of a mission-led approach"
Navigating uncertainty: The impact of national economic pressures on local authority transport funding Partner Content
26 Feb Planning
Navigating uncertainty: The impact of national economic pressures on local authority transport funding
National economic pressures and stretched local authority budgets have left local transport funding in England with significant uncertainty. Amidst government reorganisation and infrastructure reviews, councils urgently need a clear, stable funding system to invest in transport and stimulate regional economies. Writes Ian Baker, Transport Planning Director at WSP
AI and inclusion: Balancing technology with fairness in public sector recruitment Partner Content
26 Feb HR
AI and inclusion: Balancing technology with fairness in public sector recruitment
AI-powered recruitment can reshape public sector hiring by potentially reducing bias and broadening talent pools. Matt Burney, senior talent strategy advisor at Indeed, explains how careful policies and a human-centric approach can help ensure technology promotes fairness and inclusion
Civil service prestige matters – but it's a double-edged sword
19 Feb HR
Civil service prestige matters – but it's a double-edged sword
Prestige, properly practised, can encourage people to join the civil service and keep giving their best. But it can also be toxic
Why the policy profession must embrace AI
13 Feb Analysis
Why the policy profession must embrace AI
Michael Padfield from i.AI sets out how a new range of tools are driving better strategy, greater democracy and improved delivery
Policy professionals may face a skills gap in AI-augmented future
12 Feb Digital, Data & Technology
Policy professionals may face a skills gap in AI-augmented future
The disruption of AI could be positive, but the civil service must be agile enough to adapt
AI Opportunities Action Plan: A catalyst for enhanced public sector Partner Content
10 Feb Digital, Data & Technology
AI Opportunities Action Plan: A catalyst for enhanced public sector
A transformative opportunity for the public sector to improve services and productivity through driving AI-powered solutions
In defence of regulators: Why cutting red tape to boost growth is easier said than done
06 Feb Economy
In defence of regulators: Why cutting red tape to boost growth is easier said than done
Regulators have been told to prioritise growth – but for some, it is hard to see how they can
Equipping prisoners with skills in FM Partner Content
06 Feb Property & Estates
Equipping prisoners with skills in FM
Max Rumley, Head of Reducing Reoffending at HMP Fosse Way for Serco, on how establishing one of the UK’s largest facilities management (FM) operations, staffed by prisoners at HMP Fosse Way, is supporting rehabilitation and boosting employment prospects
The power of two: How multigenerational teams drive public sector innovation Partner Content
28 Jan HR
The power of two: How multigenerational teams drive public sector innovation
With up to five generations now coexisting in the workplace, multigenerational teams offer unique opportunities to enhance creativity and innovation. Matt Burney, senior talent strategy advisor at Indeed, shares insights into how diverse skills and perspectives can drive better outcomes when inclusively harnessed
To truly modernise public services, Labour must put its money where its mission is
27 Jan Digital, Data & Technology
To truly modernise public services, Labour must put its money where its mission is
Why the government needs to boost salaries for technologists in the civil service, and how they can do it
How can Denmark’s digital success inspire the UK public sector? Partner Content
23 Jan Digital, Data & Technology
How can Denmark’s digital success inspire the UK public sector?
Pressures to accelerate digitalisation in the UK public sector are mounting. PA Consulting experts Ronnie Eriksson, Paul Heaviside and Emilie Minor Christensen discuss what the UK can learn from Denmark’s digital successes