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

In light of the government’s decision to merge NHS England into DHSC, CSW explores the dos and don’ts of closing a quango – and unpacks some potential issues with the health reform plans
by Tevye Markson
One year on: The perm sec state of play
04 Jul HR
One year on: The perm sec state of play
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?
'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
‘If you're not a bit anxious at that point, something's wrong’: Perm secs on setting up DSIT, DBT and DESNZ
07 Feb 2024 Civil Service Reform
‘If you're not a bit anxious at that point, something's wrong’: Perm secs on setting up DSIT, DBT and DESNZ
A year on from the MOG changes that shocked us all, the three departments' perm secs reflect and share their priorities for the year ahead
The power of cross-sector collaboration: WIG’s Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann speaks to CSW
06 Feb 2024 HR
The power of cross-sector collaboration: WIG’s Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann speaks to CSW
The chief executive of the Whitehall and Industry Group discusses partnerships between the civil service, industry and civil society, and the importance of having diverse role models
‘There’s never been a golden age of standards’: Lord Evans on chairing CSPL
05 Feb 2024 HR
‘There’s never been a golden age of standards’: Lord Evans on chairing CSPL
After five years chairing the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Lord Evans reflects on the challenges of fostering ethical integrity in government
Covid Inquiry: WhatsApp confusion, pandemic politicking and sidelining the secretary of state
02 Feb 2024 Coronavirus
Covid Inquiry: WhatsApp confusion, pandemic politicking and sidelining the secretary of state
Nicola Sturgeon insists decision-making records have not been lost as ministers accuse former SNP leader of trying to score points against Westminster
Pay talks, hybrid working and strikes: PCS’s new general secretary Fran Heathcote sets out her stall Exclusive
01 Feb 2024 Civil Service Reform
Pay talks, hybrid working and strikes: PCS’s new general secretary Fran Heathcote sets out her stall
The union’s first ever female chief discusses following in the footsteps of Mark Serwotka, her immediate priorities, and why strikes could soon be back on the agenda
Missing in action: WhatsApps dominate Covid Inquiry hearings in Scotland
26 Jan 2024 Coronavirus
Missing in action: WhatsApps dominate Covid Inquiry hearings in Scotland
Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon’s scathing comments about Boris Johnson surface despite failure to save her own messages
'We've lost the art of prioritisation' - what public sector leaders think about the state of the State
24 Jan 2024 Civil Service Reform
'We've lost the art of prioritisation' - what public sector leaders think about the state of the State
As exclusive polling shows the public think there's an urgent need for reform in public services - but have little hope it will happen - what do public service leaders think about the state of the State? The anwer might suprise you
Perm secs round-up 2023: Looking back to look forward
22 Jan 2024 Leadership
Perm secs round-up 2023: Looking back to look forward
CSW’s perm secs round-up for 2023 provided yet another vintage year of insight from departmental leaders. Tevye Markson unwraps some takeaways
Read the winter 2024 issue of Civil Service World
22 Jan 2024 Digital, Data & Technology
Read the winter 2024 issue of Civil Service World
Exclusive interviews with DWP perm sec Peter Schofield and CSPL chair Lord Evans, plus how to help neurodivergent staff thrive
It's time to overhaul the role of chief scientific advisers – and the Home Office offers a model to follow
17 Jan 2024 HR
It's time to overhaul the role of chief scientific advisers – and the Home Office offers a model to follow
As a new report considers how government can make better use of scientific advisers, co-authors Charlotte Pickles and Prof Sir John Aston set out key recommendations based on the Home Office's experience
'We're here to make a difference': DWP perm sec Peter Schofield on team working, moments of change and the importance of values
15 Jan 2024 Coronavirus
'We're here to make a difference': DWP perm sec Peter Schofield on team working, moments of change and the importance of values
The Department for Work and Pensions perm sec tells CSW about his civil service career, his connection to DWP’s mission, and a profound turning point in his personal life
Pay, recruitment and line management: Key commitments in the civil service people plan
10 Jan 2024 Civil Service Reform
Pay, recruitment and line management: Key commitments in the civil service people plan
New workforce strategy also sets out plans for a smaller SCS, more joined up L&D and a new HR functional strategy
London office exodus a 'game-changer' – Cross Government Social Mobility Network chair reflects on 2023
09 Jan 2024 Civil Service Reform
London office exodus a 'game-changer' – Cross Government Social Mobility Network chair reflects on 2023
Kate Lalor also sets out network's priorities for 2024
‘The year of innovation’: Why 2023 left government chief people officer Fiona Ryland astonished
08 Jan 2024 HR
‘The year of innovation’: Why 2023 left government chief people officer Fiona Ryland astonished
Fiona Ryland says she was astonished by the ingenuity and innovation of colleagues
'There is never a dull day’: Meet the government legal advisers helping to shape legislation
05 Jan 2024 Culture
'There is never a dull day’: Meet the government legal advisers helping to shape legislation
Government lawyers play a key role in developing legislation – they tell us some of the work they have been doing
From AI challenges to the best Christmas biscuits: First civil service commissioner Gisela Stuart's 2023
04 Jan 2024 Civil Service Reform
From AI challenges to the best Christmas biscuits: First civil service commissioner Gisela Stuart's 2023
The commissioner celebrates the swift setting up of the AI summit in reflection on the last year
'I say bah, humbug when I hear people say we can’t change for the better': DE&S chief Andy Start on driving transformation
03 Jan 2024 Security & Defence
'I say bah, humbug when I hear people say we can’t change for the better': DE&S chief Andy Start on driving transformation
The Defence Equipment & Support chief exec reflects on how 2023 has brought about a "different approach to driving change" for the organisation
'We've punched well above our weight': Outgoing Charity Commission chief Helen Stephenson reflects on progress
31 Dec 2023 Leadership
'We've punched well above our weight': Outgoing Charity Commission chief Helen Stephenson reflects on progress
In her 2023 review, her final as Charity Commission chief, Stephenson, says she is "very proud" of the commission's achievements
Meat fraud, genes and imports: FSA head Emily Miles sums up year which led to first Radio 4 Today interview
30 Dec 2023 Energy & Environment
Meat fraud, genes and imports: FSA head Emily Miles sums up year which led to first Radio 4 Today interview
Plus, drinking sherry on Christmas and experimenting on Christmas Day
Finding new ways to connect: Jeff James of the National Archives on reaching out to students
28 Dec 2023
Finding new ways to connect: Jeff James of the National Archives on reaching out to students
The chief executive and keeper of the National Archives looks back at his ten-year stint, which is drawing to a close
Making use of influencers and watching Fulham at home: Comms chief Simon Baugh looks back on 2023
28 Dec 2023 Communications
Making use of influencers and watching Fulham at home: Comms chief Simon Baugh looks back on 2023
The chief executive of the Government Communications Service says when you're sick of saying something, that's the moment people begin to hear it
‘Here’s my card’: The three words that sum up export chief Tim Reid’s year
27 Dec 2023 Commercial
‘Here’s my card’: The three words that sum up export chief Tim Reid’s year
The chief exec of UK Export Finance looks back on the year he took the leap from banking to the civil service
‘An uncomfortable position for a civil servant to be in’: Julie Harrison discusses making decisions in absence of Northern Ireland Executive
22 Dec 2023 Local & Devolved
‘An uncomfortable position for a civil servant to be in’: Julie Harrison discusses making decisions in absence of Northern Ireland Executive
The Northern Ireland Office perm sec, who held a senior position in NICS for most of the year, reflects on the challenges and scrutiny that came with being in charge
'I might even end up refereeing a match': Sir Ian Diamond on a big year for data and the joys of Boxing Day football
22 Dec 2023 Digital, Data & Technology
'I might even end up refereeing a match': Sir Ian Diamond on a big year for data and the joys of Boxing Day football
The National Statistician looks back on the year at ONS and explains why data is this year’s “big thing”