The number of ‘ministerial directions’ spiked in 2009-10, as accounting officers were asked to fund the economic stimulus in the run-up to an unpredictable election. Their numbers may rise again soon, finds Becky Slack

For years, departments have been free to purchase training as they see fit – but from 1 April, they’ll have to buy it through Civil Service Learning’s new ‘gateway’. Matt Ross examines a contentious and substantial reform

An inner-city school struggles to juggle the demands of disadvantaged pupils and national attainment targets

Communities and Local Government Committee chair Clive Betts has known Bob Kerslake for years, and doesn’t doubt his commitment to localism – but some departments are less enthusiastic, he tells Joshua Chambers

As head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Dr Malcolm McKibbin has a very challenging job. However, as he tells Joshua Chambers, the main challenge has evolved from ending the Troubles to stimulating business growth

A care manager says cuts can drive useful change – but uncertainty prevents it

The coalition is eager to digitise public services. But how can public organisations ascertain people’s identities when they’re meeting them down a fibre-optic cable? Becky Slack examines the challenges and the solutions

When things go wrong in government, a ministerial scapegoat is often sought. Joshua Chambers examines the convention of ministerial responsibility – and asks whether it still holds the power to unseat secretaries of state.

The IT industry likes the government’s direction of travel, its trade association’s public sector director Sureyya Cansoy tells Matt Ross – but businesses will be happier still when the coalition’s activity turns into real progress

The coalition has seized on the work of David Halpern and his Behavioural Insights Team with a vengeance. As Becky Slack finds out, the techniques of ‘nudge’ are set to change policymaking in every corner of government

After nearly 22 months, the Commons select committees’ first elected chairs have had plenty of time to size up their Whitehall counterparts. Joshua Chambers asked them how the departments they watch have been performing

The Fast Stream, which shaped many of today’s perm secs, is set to be drastically reformed. Joshua Chambers examines the emerging proposals to change how departments shape the future leaders of the civil service.

The loss of a train construction contract overseas has left coalition ministers arguing that civil servants should hand more contracts to UK firms. Stuart Watson examines the room for manoeuvre available within EU rules.

British Waterways chief Robin Evans has spent years campaigning for the public corporation to become a charitable trust. He tells Matt Ross why our canals are set to thrive outside the illusory security of government ownership

Nearly two years ago the prime minister met civil servants to set out his plans for reform. What impact are those reforms having on staff morale? Suzannah Brecknell reports on the third annual Civil Service People Survey

A doctor says the NHS’s priorities are all wrong: pettifogging rules are rigorously enforced, but the Working Time Directive is pretty much ignored

While some financiers caused our current economic difficulties, others might just provide investments that our public services desperately require. Joshua Chambers examines some unusual ways of generating funding.

After 37 years on Whitehall Stephen Laws, the government’s top drafter of legislation, is retiring. Suzannah Brecknell grabs him on his way out of the door to discuss a life spent writing laws for seven prime ministers

Nick Boles is a key Tory thinker: a man who devised many flagship policies and prepared his party for government. But Matt Ross finds him refreshingly straight-talking as he discusses politics, policymaking and the civil service.

Richard Douglas, the head of the Government Finance Profession, believes that finance skills will soon be essential for career progression across the senior civil service. He explains why to Joshua Chambers.

Frontline: Forensic medical examiner A doctor working with the police worries about the effect of outsourcing on the care of vulnerable people

Many public sector projects struggle to stay on time and on budget, and civil servants are under growing pressure to improve their game. Joshua Chambers asks the experts how government can avoid project management pitfalls.

With infrastructure development a key plank of the government’s growth strategy, the Treasury’s investment team Infrastructure UK has an ever-more important role to play. Suzannah Brecknell meets its chief, Geoffrey Spence.

Which technologies will change the way we work, and which are just a flash in the pan? Suzannah Brecknell reports on a discussion of how new technologies are set to transform government’s interactions with the public.