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
'Laser sharp prioritisation is required': Projects authority chief Nick Smallwood sets sights on improved delivery
21 Dec 2023 Project Delivery
'Laser sharp prioritisation is required': Projects authority chief Nick Smallwood sets sights on improved delivery
Infrastructure and Projects Authority chief Nick Smallwood reflects on big year for Government Major Projects Portfolio, considers 2024 priorities and picks favourite Christmas treat
Becoming a national GLD and pay negotiations: Susanna McGibbon on the successes and trials of 2023
21 Dec 2023 HR
Becoming a national GLD and pay negotiations: Susanna McGibbon on the successes and trials of 2023
The Treasury solicitor and Government Legal Department perm sec looks back on 2023
‘Inaction – as well as action – has costs’: James Heath on the NIC’s message to policymakers
20 Dec 2023 Property & Estates
‘Inaction – as well as action – has costs’: James Heath on the NIC’s message to policymakers
Faster decisions and ambitious goals are what the country needs, the chief executive of the National Infrastructure Commission says
‘We’re a people organisation’: DWP’s Peter Schofield on supporting customers and encouraging his teenagers to revise
20 Dec 2023 Operational Delivery
‘We’re a people organisation’: DWP’s Peter Schofield on supporting customers and encouraging his teenagers to revise
The Department for Work and Pensions perm sec sets out his priorities for 2024
Migrating millions to OneLogin, exploring AI and Christmas films: GDS chief Tom Read’s 2024 priorities and festive plans
19 Dec 2023 Digital, Data & Technology
Migrating millions to OneLogin, exploring AI and Christmas films: GDS chief Tom Read’s 2024 priorities and festive plans
The Government Digital Service CEO reflects on 2023, sets out aims for 2024 and ponders whether his son is old enough to watch Die Hard
New joiners and King Charles’ coronation: Prison service CEO Amy Rees looks back at the highlights of a busy year
19 Dec 2023 Justice & Home Affairs
New joiners and King Charles’ coronation: Prison service CEO Amy Rees looks back at the highlights of a busy year
The head of HMPPS reflects on the hope and glory brought to 2023 by the country’s prison staff, if not by the Welsh rugby team
‘Five years left to fully realise my ambition’: NAO head Gareth Davies on plans for the rest of his term and Christmas faves
19 Dec 2023 Analysis
‘Five years left to fully realise my ambition’: NAO head Gareth Davies on plans for the rest of his term and Christmas faves
The head of the National Audit Office discusses what still needs to be done in the coming years
Going digital and taking the stairs: DVLA’s Julie Lennard on a year of achievements and plans
18 Dec 2023 Transport
Going digital and taking the stairs: DVLA’s Julie Lennard on a year of achievements and plans
The chief executive of DVLA looks back on a productive 12 months at the drivers' agency
'Never been bored': DfE’s Susan Acland-Hood on a year of filled with childcare plans, strikes and RAAC
18 Dec 2023 Education
'Never been bored': DfE’s Susan Acland-Hood on a year of filled with childcare plans, strikes and RAAC
The Department for Education perm sec looks back at a year of big projects – and reveals her mince pie secret 
From children in care to the cycling world championships: JP Marks on Scotland’s achievements this year
18 Dec 2023 Health & Social Care
From children in care to the cycling world championships: JP Marks on Scotland’s achievements this year
The perm sec of the Scottish Government looks back on an exciting year (and confesses that he hopes to avoid watching Elf again this Christmas...)
‘I’ve realised how much I missed giggling with colleagues’: Paul Willgoss on returning to the office in 2023
15 Dec 2023 HR
‘I’ve realised how much I missed giggling with colleagues’: Paul Willgoss on returning to the office in 2023
The vice-chair of the Civil Service Disability Network on the fear of those who shielded as office working returned, and on creating a more accessible civil service
'Teamwork helped the MoJ deliver what might have seemed impossible': Antonia Romeo reflects on 2023
15 Dec 2023 Justice & Home Affairs
'Teamwork helped the MoJ deliver what might have seemed impossible': Antonia Romeo reflects on 2023
The MoJ perm sec looks back on year where "impossible was nothing", with achievements such as preparing a court to support a deaf juror – a historic first
'Being bold and innovative means making brave choices': Angela MacDonald on HMRC's transformation journey
14 Dec 2023 Digital, Data & Technology
'Being bold and innovative means making brave choices': Angela MacDonald on HMRC's transformation journey
HMRC's second perm sec looks back on a year she is proud of, and forward to her first Christmas as a "granny"
‘I want to make DBT one of the best places to work’: Gareth Davies shares his vision for the new department
14 Dec 2023 HR
‘I want to make DBT one of the best places to work’: Gareth Davies shares his vision for the new department
The Department for Business and Trade perm sec talks about the challenges of 2023 and the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special
‘Productivity is my favourite subject’: HMT’s Cat Little on finding better ways to use people’s time
13 Dec 2023 Finance
‘Productivity is my favourite subject’: HMT’s Cat Little on finding better ways to use people’s time
The head of the government finance function and second permanent secretary to the Treasury looks back at the year, and sets out her running goal for 2024
‘The Home Office is preparing for whatever the future throws at us’: Matthew Rycroft looks ahead
12 Dec 2023 Justice & Home Affairs
‘The Home Office is preparing for whatever the future throws at us’: Matthew Rycroft looks ahead
The Home Office permanent secretary says 2024 will be a year of "focusing on prevention, not cure"
How ex-UK officials have helped to run Cop28 and why Cop26 was ‘crazy’ – CSW speaks to climate conference organiser Wasim Mir
12 Dec 2023 Energy & Environment
How ex-UK officials have helped to run Cop28 and why Cop26 was ‘crazy’ – CSW speaks to climate conference organiser Wasim Mir
Ex-Cop26 chief and current UN director of conference affairs Wasim Mir compares Cops in UK, UAE and Egypt and shares lessons from time outside civil service
From Eurovision 2023 to Euro 2028: Susannah Storey on a busy year for DCMS
11 Dec 2023 Culture
From Eurovision 2023 to Euro 2028: Susannah Storey on a busy year for DCMS
The permanent secretary at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport sets out what has made her proud, energised and hopeful in 2023
New horizons: Douglas Wilson reflects on the AGO's growing international role
11 Dec 2023 Leadership
New horizons: Douglas Wilson reflects on the AGO's growing international role
The director general of the Attorney General's Office looks back on ten years' of change and sets out his priorities for the department
'Significant overhaul is needed': Insights from a previously-secret review of centre-of-government crisis capabilities
08 Dec 2023 Analysis
'Significant overhaul is needed': Insights from a previously-secret review of centre-of-government crisis capabilities
Review makes 23 recommendations for “higher-quality faster-paced central decision making”, including reinvigorating the lead government response model
'Culture matters a lot – especially when dealing with lots of change': Sarah Munby reflects on DSIT's first year
08 Dec 2023 Civil Service Reform
'Culture matters a lot – especially when dealing with lots of change': Sarah Munby reflects on DSIT's first year
Taking on a new portfolio has made 2023 an energising but hectic year for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology perm sec
Marking the Good Friday Agreement and a digital healthcare breakthrough: Jayne Brady reflects on the power of hope as she looks back on 2023
07 Dec 2023 Leadership
Marking the Good Friday Agreement and a digital healthcare breakthrough: Jayne Brady reflects on the power of hope as she looks back on 2023
Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Jayne Brady praises the incredible resilience of her colleagues and some digital firsts in Northern Ireland this year
‘The duty to be calm and the need to be capable’: Alex Chisholm on the Cabinet Office’s crucial role
06 Dec 2023 Civil Service Reform
‘The duty to be calm and the need to be capable’: Alex Chisholm on the Cabinet Office’s crucial role
The permanent secretary for the Cabinet Office looks back on 2023, and discusses handing over his job in April
Which civil service departments have the biggest gender pay gaps?
04 Dec 2023 HR
Which civil service departments have the biggest gender pay gaps?
CSW crunches the numbers to see which organisations have the biggest gaps in hourly earnings for women and men, and how gender pay gaps have changed over time