From the editor: Whether it's RAAC or climate change, governments must stop being so short-termist
22 Sep Education

From the editor: Whether it's RAAC or climate change, governments must stop being so short-termist

The lack of investment in schools built with weak concrete has been bad enough, but crumbling in the face of the climate crisis could be far more destructive
by Jess Bowie and Suzannah Brecknell
Civil servants are losing trust in the wider public sector – and each other
20 Sep Civil Service Reform
Civil servants are losing trust in the wider public sector – and each other
A 3am A&E trip and ‘Yes, Minister’ moments: Five things we learned from the IfG’s latest Ministers Reflect interviews
12 Sep Health & Social Care
A 3am A&E trip and ‘Yes, Minister’ moments: Five things we learned from the IfG’s latest Ministers Reflect interviews
Five things you don’t want to miss at this year’s Policy Festival
07 Sep HR
Five things you don’t want to miss at this year’s Policy Festival
Force of Nature: Conservation authority boss Gemma Harper on the urgent need for collaboration
21 Sep Energy & Environment
Force of Nature: Conservation authority boss Gemma Harper on the urgent need for collaboration
In the battle against climate change and the biodiversity crisis, government-wide collaboration is a must. CSW talks to Dr Gemma Harper, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee chief executive tasked with keeping UK public bodies on track for a sustainable, nature-first future
Read the autumn 2023 issue of Civil Service World
19 Sep HR
Read the autumn 2023 issue of Civil Service World
Our Energy and Environment special asks: What can the UK do to prepare for climate change? Plus, the secret life a press secretary, and government's ugliest postwar buildings
Round table: Getting the show on the road
18 Sep Digital, Data & Technology
Round table: Getting the show on the road
A year since the government launched its roadmap for digital reform, CSW convened leaders from across government to reflect on progress so far
'We expect them to run a multibillion-pound department with no training’: Ministers' budget-management woes
05 Sep Finance
'We expect them to run a multibillion-pound department with no training’: Ministers' budget-management woes
A former cabinet minister calls for financial training for incoming ministers
Setting up shop: A roundtable discussion about public sector procurement Partner Content
04 Sep Analysis
Setting up shop: A roundtable discussion about public sector procurement
As the government moves towards a new procurement landscape, how can leaders from commercial, delivery and policy teams ensure they realise the opportunities presented by this reform? Officials discuss at a roundtable, supported by Serco, at CS Live
Go to work on an egg: posters from a golden age of government comms
04 Sep Communications
Go to work on an egg: posters from a golden age of government comms
CSW looks back on the creativity and context of some memorable campaigns from the postwar years
Barriers, success, and Infrastructure and Projects Authority’s principles in digital projects Partner Content
04 Sep Analysis
Barriers, success, and Infrastructure and Projects Authority’s principles in digital projects
The crucial steps to set up complex projects, as discussed by digital project leaders at a roundtable supported by Mastek at CS Live 2023
'Public sector reform is way overdue': Interview with Scotland's auditor general
01 Sep HR
'Public sector reform is way overdue': Interview with Scotland's auditor general
Scotland's auditor general calls for greater transparency in how public money is spent
'Spads were often a problem to be overcome': Former ministers on working with No.10
31 Aug Policy
'Spads were often a problem to be overcome': Former ministers on working with No.10
Every minister wants to have the ear of the prime minister – but getting close to "the centre" is no simple feat
Animal research: Are we on the precipice of change?
29 Aug Science & Engineering
Animal research: Are we on the precipice of change?
Amy Beale of medical research charity FRAME gives an overview of recent events and changes in policy
Going, going, gong: Five minutes with King's birthday honours recipient James Brereton
25 Aug Planning
Going, going, gong: Five minutes with King's birthday honours recipient James Brereton
Former deputy director of Transport Security Operations at the DfT, now in the Home Office, has received an OBE for services to the state funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. CSW meets him
Churn and diary management: Former ministers recall biggest frustrations working with civil servants
24 Aug HR
Churn and diary management: Former ministers recall biggest frustrations working with civil servants
Latest episode of the IfG’s “Becoming a minister” podcast series includes politicians’ occasional frustrations with civil service – and advice on how to deal with them
Going, going, gong: Five minutes with King's birthday honours recipient Matthew Lodge
23 Aug Transport
Going, going, gong: Five minutes with King's birthday honours recipient Matthew Lodge
The director of Rail Infrastructure South at the Department for Transport has received an OBE for services to the rail industry. CSW meets him
‘Treat them with respect’: Ex-government leaders share advice on building good minister-civil service relations
22 Aug HR
‘Treat them with respect’: Ex-government leaders share advice on building good minister-civil service relations
Institute for Government's latest podcast reveals insights into how ministers and officials work together – from those with experience
Going, going, gong: Five minutes with King's birthday honours recipient Brian Johnson
21 Aug Security & Defence
Going, going, gong: Five minutes with King's birthday honours recipient Brian Johnson
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency chief executive has received a CBE for services to the maritime industry. CSW meets him
Delivering record value for UK taxpayers Partner Content
21 Aug Commercial
Delivering record value for UK taxpayers
Crown Commercial Service has helped the public sector achieve record commercial benefits of £3.8 billion and respond to new challenges. Chief executive Simon Tse shares the lessons from the past year
Going, going, gong: Five minutes with King's birthday honours recipient Derek Grieve
18 Aug Coronavirus
Going, going, gong: Five minutes with King's birthday honours recipient Derek Grieve
The head of the vaccinations division in the Scottish Government has received a CBE for services to public health during Covid-19. CSW meets him
Cabinet sub-committees 'not effective', ex-education secretary claims
17 Aug Civil Service Reform
Cabinet sub-committees 'not effective', ex-education secretary claims
Former education secretary Estelle Morris criticises the conventional approach to cross-departmental working
Going, going, gong: Five minutes with King's birthday honours recipient Martin Clarke
17 Aug Internal Audit
Going, going, gong: Five minutes with King's birthday honours recipient Martin Clarke
Outgoing government actuary Martin Clarke has received a Companion of the Order of the Bath for public service. CSW meets him
Going, going, gong: Five minutes with King's birthday honours recipient Freya Grimwood
16 Aug
Going, going, gong: Five minutes with King's birthday honours recipient Freya Grimwood
Freya Grimwood, now a deputy director at the Serious Fraud Office, recently received an OBE for Public Service for her work as principal private secretary for the law officers in the Attorney General's Office. CSW meets her

Do the government's proposals on standards and integrity go far enough?
15 Aug Politics & Constitution
Do the government's proposals on standards and integrity go far enough?
Improved reporting guidelines are welcome, but more must be done to highlight informal lobbying, argues Rose Whiffen of Transparency International UK
Real pay rises can tackle the public sector workforce crisis
14 Aug HR
Real pay rises can tackle the public sector workforce crisis
Ministers are being neither honest nor realistic about protecting services when they claim settlements that keep pace with inflation are not an option, writes Joseph Evans
Rupert McNeil: Acoba is a simplistic system ripe for overhaul – my recent experience proves it
11 Aug Civil Service Reform
Rupert McNeil: Acoba is a simplistic system ripe for overhaul – my recent experience proves it
Without reform, the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments and its narrow way of operating could act as a serious deterrent for successful outsiders who are considering roles in the senior civil service
Custodians of government's history: A guide to the Knowledge & Information Management profession
10 Aug Knowledge & Information Management Profession
Custodians of government's history: A guide to the Knowledge & Information Management profession
Continuing the professions series, CSW takes a closer look at Knowledge and Information Management