Read the spring 2023 issue of Civil Service World
21 Mar Justice & Home Affairs

Read the spring 2023 issue of Civil Service World

Read exclusive interviews with Home Office perm sec Matthew Rycroft and first civil service commissioner Gisela Stuart – plus deep dives on the trade profession and chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance's legacy
by Civil Service World
From the editor: Welcome to the new-look Civil Service World
21 Mar
From the editor: Welcome to the new-look Civil Service World
'Salary is only one of the factors people look at': Gisela Stuart on civil service pay, recruitment innovation and government's 'porosity agenda'
17 Mar Civil Service Reform
'Salary is only one of the factors people look at': Gisela Stuart on civil service pay, recruitment innovation and government's 'porosity agenda'
Blazing a trail: trade commissioner Natalie Black marks International Women’s Day
08 Mar Economy
Blazing a trail: trade commissioner Natalie Black marks International Women’s Day
On a mission to help you thrive Partner Content
20 Mar HR
On a mission to help you thrive
Peter Schofield, Permanent Secretary of the Department for Work and Pensions, and Graham
Hooper, Chief Executive of the Charity for Civil Servants, discuss being part of a supportive
community in which every civil servant has the chance to live their lives to the full
‘These are almost impossibly difficult issues to grapple with’: Matthew Rycroft on Rwanda, Windrush and transforming the Home Office Exclusive
20 Mar HR
‘These are almost impossibly difficult issues to grapple with’: Matthew Rycroft on Rwanda, Windrush and transforming the Home Office
‘Permacrisis’ may have been Collins Dictionary’s Word of the Year for 2022, but it’s been part of the Home Office lexicon for decades. What’s it like leading such a closely scrutinised department while trying to transform its culture at the same time?
Every improvement is a change – but not every change is an improvement
07 Mar 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 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
HMRC 'regularly has to persuade people not to retire'... and six other things we learnt at PublicTechnology Live
06 Mar Digital, Data & Technology
HMRC 'regularly has to persuade people not to retire'... and six other things we learnt at PublicTechnology Live
Tech roadblocks for driving theory tests, how government online services can improve and more
On a journey: DWP’s Helen Roberts unpacks department’s digital priorities
27 Feb Digital, Data & Technology
On a journey: DWP’s Helen Roberts unpacks department’s digital priorities
Digital-delivery director says department is “moving away from seeing someone as a benefit recipient – and asking how we can respond to their circumstances”
'We never use the word digital' – inside the Welsh Government’s design doctrine
16 Feb Digital, Data & Technology
'We never use the word digital' – inside the Welsh Government’s design doctrine
Ahead of speaking at PublicTechnology Live, Jo Goodwin discusses how the Centre for Digital Public Services is encouraging a focus on users across the public sector
'Big questions need deep thinking' – new Heywood fellow sets his goals for research post
15 Feb
'Big questions need deep thinking' – new Heywood fellow sets his goals for research post
Jonathan Black is taking special leave from the civil service to research the intersection of economic prosperity and national-security policy
Striking the right balance: How regulators are adapting to a fast-changing landscape
14 Feb HR
Striking the right balance: How regulators are adapting to a fast-changing landscape
Good regulation is about more than just enforcement, experts and watchdogs say
Full disclosure: DBS chief Eric Robinson on smashing milestones, local government lessons and the joy of hybrid working
06 Feb HR
Full disclosure: DBS chief Eric Robinson on smashing milestones, local government lessons and the joy of hybrid working
DBS chief exec Eric Robinson talks transformation, the cost-of-living crisis, adapting to Covid and how he unwinds
'One crisis and I will be homeless': view from the civil service picket line
01 Feb Civil Service Reform
'One crisis and I will be homeless': view from the civil service picket line
CSW visited the Cabinet Office picket line, where PCS members are striking over pay amid the cost-of-living crisis
'There have to be consequences for civil service pay erosion': Mike Clancy on Prospect's strike ballot
27 Jan HR
'There have to be consequences for civil service pay erosion': Mike Clancy on Prospect's strike ballot
"Moral purpose doesn't pay the mortgage," the union general secretary says
Starting the year with inclusivity: how civil servants can become disability allies
23 Jan Communications
Starting the year with inclusivity: how civil servants can become disability allies
GDS apprentice Samaira Uddin shares her thoughts on the importance of bringing one’s whole self to work, and how colleagues and managers can be true allies to civil servants with disabilities
Connect Four: Top networking tips from a Civil Service Awards winner
16 Jan HR
Connect Four: Top networking tips from a Civil Service Awards winner
The Junior Leaders Networking Events Team won the Developing and Supporting People Award at the 2022 Civil Service Awards. Funke Oham offers civil servants advice on how to network effectively and leave a lasting impression on colleagues
Accents, qualifications and recruitment: how the Government Socio-Economic Diversity Network will challenge barriers and biases in 2023
10 Jan HR
Accents, qualifications and recruitment: how the Government Socio-Economic Diversity Network will challenge barriers and biases in 2023
Work will continue this year to make the civil service better and more attractive to working class people
‘Transformation won’t come easy’: Megan Lee on keeping a 'razor-sharp focus’ at CDDO and tackling recruitment challenges head on
09 Jan Digital, Data & Technology
‘Transformation won’t come easy’: Megan Lee on keeping a 'razor-sharp focus’ at CDDO and tackling recruitment challenges head on
Achieving the Central Digital and Data Office's commitments will be hard but the benefits are incalculable, its chief strategy and transformation officer says
‘Deciding where to cut staff was hard’ – Simon Baugh on restructuring GCS and reacting to once-in-a-generation events
06 Jan Communications
‘Deciding where to cut staff was hard’ – Simon Baugh on restructuring GCS and reacting to once-in-a-generation events
The Government Communication Service chief exec is proud of how staff responded to Omicron and Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Fast forward: Louise Smyth’s year of accelerated change at Companies House
06 Jan Economy
Fast forward: Louise Smyth’s year of accelerated change at Companies House
Chief exec tells CSW how responding to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine saw staff step up work to deliver a new business-transparency regime
Douglas Wilson on seeking justice for atrocities in Ukraine – and the Christmas the AGO boss spent in Baghdad
05 Jan Legal
Douglas Wilson on seeking justice for atrocities in Ukraine – and the Christmas the AGO boss spent in Baghdad
The Attorney General's Office DG unpacks legal support being offered to Ukraine and the challenges of balancing resources
The Queue and the Commonwealth Games: Sarah Healey on DCMS's proud moments in a 'difficult year for the civil service'
04 Jan Culture
The Queue and the Commonwealth Games: Sarah Healey on DCMS's proud moments in a 'difficult year for the civil service'
As she wishes for a "precendented" year, the DCMS perm sec sets out the importance of valuing staff
'Some of the Treasury's hardest decisions are yet to come': Cat Little looks ahead
04 Jan Economics
'Some of the Treasury's hardest decisions are yet to come': Cat Little looks ahead
The Treasury second perm sec says resilience is needed after "what feels like concurrent crises over an extended period"
Energy aid and staff pay: BEIS boss Sarah Munby on a frenetic year
03 Jan Energy & Environment
Energy aid and staff pay: BEIS boss Sarah Munby on a frenetic year
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy perm sec says retaining and rewarding civil servants must be a focus in 2023
‘Major policy projects are a marathon, not a sprint’ – National Infrastructure Commission chief James Heath’s lessons from 2022
03 Jan Project Delivery
‘Major policy projects are a marathon, not a sprint’ – National Infrastructure Commission chief James Heath’s lessons from 2022
The NIC chief exec reflects on delivering the National Infrastructure Assessment and securing a new office in Leeds
Perm secs round-up 2022: Civil service leaders reflect on their highs and lows
30 Dec 2022 Leadership
Perm secs round-up 2022: Civil service leaders reflect on their highs and lows
Civil service leaders share their highlights and toughest calls, and remember Christmases past