'I could tell you 20 things that are wrong with Whitehall. But it has worked': Ex-trade chief Sir Crawford Falconer on Brexit, bureaucracy and why MOG changes are overrated
16 Jul Brexit

'I could tell you 20 things that are wrong with Whitehall. But it has worked': Ex-trade chief Sir Crawford Falconer on Brexit, bureaucracy and why MOG changes are overrated

Falconer spent seven years as the UK's chief trade negotiation adviser and second perm sec before leaving last year. In this Q&A interview, he talks about setting up the trade policy function, the pitfalls of joint departments, and lessons from Brexit
by Matilda Martin and Beckie Smith
'Doing politics', handling the tough conversations, and how Alastair Campbell helped him out: Lunch with... Gus O'Donnell
15 Jul Civil Service Reform
'Doing politics', handling the tough conversations, and how Alastair Campbell helped him out: Lunch with... Gus O'Donnell
One year on: the perm sec state of play
04 Jul HR
One year on: the perm sec state of play
How to close a quango: As DHSC prepares to absorb NHS England, we ask the experts
03 Jul Civil Service Reform
How to close a quango: As DHSC prepares to absorb NHS England, we ask the experts
How effectively is government coordinating efforts to get more people into work through healthcare reform?
01 Jul Health & Social Care
How effectively is government coordinating efforts to get more people into work through healthcare reform?
Government is banking on the success of its health mission to stem the tide of health-related benefit claims. But is the approach joined up enough to have an impact?
'A truly co-designed, collaborative effort': How the Evaluation Task Force shook up its annual conference
26 Jun
'A truly co-designed, collaborative effort': How the Evaluation Task Force shook up its annual conference
This year, the Evaluation Task Force took a new approach to designing and
delivering its annual conference. CSW finds out more about how the event
was run and asks what others can learn from the experience
Spending Review 2025: Tight times ahead, but no return to austerity
12 Jun Civil Service Reform
Spending Review 2025: Tight times ahead, but no return to austerity
Unions air job-security fears as IFS warns settlements leave little scope for “significant” hikes in public sector pay
Ten top tips: How to use a Civil Service Commission audit to improve recruitment practice
11 Jun HR
Ten top tips: How to use a Civil Service Commission audit to improve recruitment practice
Here's what the Commission looks for during a recruitment audit
Which tasks do public servants spend too long on? And how can AI help?
10 Jun Digital, Data & Technology
Which tasks do public servants spend too long on? And how can AI help?
The government is placing high hopes on the potential for AI to improve productivity in public services. But where can it be most of use?
Derided as the Frankenstein’s monster of Whitehall: Will Labour really abolish DCMS?
05 Jun Civil Service Reform
Derided as the Frankenstein’s monster of Whitehall: Will Labour really abolish DCMS?
As briefings against DCMS and culture secretary Lisa Nandy abound, Sophie Church and Sienna Rodgers explore why the department is so embattled and what its future might look like
'We will remember him not only for his public service but for his humanity': Tribute to Roy Stone
04 Jun
'We will remember him not only for his public service but for his humanity': Tribute to Roy Stone
Powerful yet discreet, Roy Stone worked at the heart of government for over two decades. Highly respected across all parties, he was a true public servant
From the archives: Peter Unwin on reaching the Kyoto climate change agreement, the problem with super-departments and how best to reform government
02 Jun Civil Service Reform
From the archives: Peter Unwin on reaching the Kyoto climate change agreement, the problem with super-departments and how best to reform government

The outgoing chief executive of The Whitehall & Industry Group – and a former senior civil servant in several departments – sits down with Suzannah Brecknell to discuss international negotiations, super departments, and the perils of hierarchies
Life hacks: How government can drive digital innovation
29 May Digital, Data & Technology
Life hacks: How government can drive digital innovation
MHCLG, GDS and i.AI’s recent “hackathon” event in Leeds could be the dawn of a new era in public-sector problem-solving
'Our members are losing faith': PCS's Fran Heathcote on job security, hybrid working and Labour's first 10 months Exclusive
28 May Civil Service Reform
'Our members are losing faith': PCS's Fran Heathcote on job security, hybrid working and Labour's first 10 months
Heathcote happy with Cabinet Office's engagement with the union but warns its members are starting to lose faith in the government
Wonders and blunders: The best and worst of government buildings
16 May Property & Estates
Wonders and blunders: The best and worst of government buildings
Forget break-out spaces and collaboration zones, many civil service offices of the past were ugly, impractical and unpleasant to work in. Jim Dunton explores the history of some of government’s most notorious buildings – and pays homage to some of the pioneering ones too
‘Devastating’: Why are hundreds of DWP staff at risk of losing their jobs and ability to stay in the UK?
15 May HR
‘Devastating’: Why are hundreds of DWP staff at risk of losing their jobs and ability to stay in the UK?
A quirk in the Department for Work and Pension’s pay policy means hundreds of staff are unable to extend their visas
Jobs moving out of London, office closures and Fast Stream targets: How much of today's civil service reform announcement is new?
14 May Civil Service Reform
Jobs moving out of London, office closures and Fast Stream targets: How much of today's civil service reform announcement is new?
Ministers have also promised "thousands" of jobs will move to the regions and 50% of Fast Stream roles will be based outside the capital
A perm sec refresh is a moment of opportunity for ministers to shape Whitehall’s leadership
13 May Civil Service Reform
A perm sec refresh is a moment of opportunity for ministers to shape Whitehall’s leadership
A reshuffle of perm secs is under way. Here's how ministers can make the most of it
UK aid is ten times more scrutinised than other government spending
12 May Finance
UK aid is ten times more scrutinised than other government spending
While aid-spending agencies make up only 1.3% of UK government spending, they are the subject of 12.5% of all government evaluations
'We have two separate eggs here': Are job-shares all they're cracked up to be?
02 May HR
'We have two separate eggs here': Are job-shares all they're cracked up to be?
Job-sharing has taken off across the civil service, and is being hailed as the key to diversity at senior levels. But how did we get here? And are the 'personal overheads' worth it?
Lord Bichard: Inquiry chairs should not feel pressured to make recommendations that are ‘convenient’ to officials
01 May Civil Service Reform
Lord Bichard: Inquiry chairs should not feel pressured to make recommendations that are ‘convenient’ to officials
Highlights from a House of Lords debate into the effectiveness of statutory inquiries
Software update: What's new in the 'new GDS'?
29 Apr Civil Service Reform
Software update: What's new in the 'new GDS'?
After signalling its intention to revamp government’s core digital operations, the new administration has now set out detailed plans for doing so – while keeping Whitehall’s most recognisable tech brand in play
Trust yourself: What can civil servants gain from becoming charity trustees?
28 Apr
Trust yourself: What can civil servants gain from becoming charity trustees?
Volunteering has more benefits than you might realise, from career progression to wellbeing. How can officials reach out and make a difference?
'Everyone felt they had a stake in it': The award-winning programme that brought 4G to remote corners of Scotland
25 Apr Digital, Data & Technology
'Everyone felt they had a stake in it': The award-winning programme that brought 4G to remote corners of Scotland
How the Scottish Government programme leveraged public and private sector expertise to bring 4G to thousands of residents and businesses in remote locations
'We’re attempting something that has never been achieved anywhere': Mission head Richard Clarke talks safer streets
24 Apr Justice & Home Affairs
'We’re attempting something that has never been achieved anywhere': Mission head Richard Clarke talks safer streets
As safer streets director general in the Home Office, Richard Clarke is the senior responsible officer for the ambitious street safety agenda. He tells CSW what it felt like to take on the role, how the mission is working, and what he does to switch off
Surfacing the deep: Peter Hennessy’s work as ‘historian and horizon scanner’
23 Apr
Surfacing the deep: Peter Hennessy’s work as ‘historian and horizon scanner’
Lord Hennessy has mapped the British state for decades including its most secret corners – and in defining them has shaped the institutions and individuals that govern us
'Compassion is cost effective': How the third sector is driving success in high-profile government contracts
16 Apr Commercial
'Compassion is cost effective': How the third sector is driving success in high-profile government contracts
Major Kathy Betteridge shares what the church has learned from delivering the government's Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract for England and Wales
'Be humble': Why academics need to change their approach to the civil service
15 Apr Policy
'Be humble': Why academics need to change their approach to the civil service
King's College London's Michael Sanders talks to CSW about the need for better collaboration between the civil service and academia and why more lecturers should spend time in government