Defra will rely on joint working to achieve many of its aims, reports Suzannah Brecknell, and secretary of state Caroline Spelman is keen that its expertise is shared as widely as possible.

The department has a wide remit and an ambitious ministerial team, but Joshua Chambers finds that it also has a shrinking budget and tough choices to make.

The department has moved quickly since the formation of the coalition, finds Joshua Chambers, publishing far-reaching proposals to get people into work and reform benefits.

The new government has shifted the FCO’s aims, Joshua Chambers discovers, with a new focus on producing benefits for UK plc.

10 Downing Street hasn’t been this relaxed in years. But Matt Ross discovers that the prime minister is nonetheless determined to create dramatic change within government – and fast.

The MoD is busy fighting an increasingly difficult war overseas. But the defence review and Trident decision are equally important, setting priorities for years to come. Joshua Chambers reports

Joshua Chambers finds that the Home Office has pressed ahead quickly with its agenda, announcing many of its plans to Parliament before the summer recess.

As the spending review rolls on, cross-departmental working seems to be on the agenda at the Treasury. Suzannah Brecknell reports.

The Cabinet Office has always played a key role in coordinating government and developing the civil service. Matt Ross finds that, as the home of the deputy prime minister and the efficiency agenda, it is becoming more powerful still.

This week’s interviewee is a practice manager, responsible for the business and operational management of a major GP partnership

With public service reform in the spotlight Bernard Jenkin, new chair of the public administration select committee, tells Suzannah Brecknell it’s an exciting time to be scrutinising the “process of good and efficient governance”

As a minister, David Blunkett was keen to reform the civil service. But now, he tells Matt Ross, much of the public sector faces an existential threat: a danger of destruction at the hands of its own government

In seeking savings, civil servants are being asked to work with people outside their department – and even outside government. Suzannah Brecknell reports on new research that suggests they’re not fully persuaded.

Peter Riddell is one of Britain’s best-known journalists, a political commentator with 40 years’ experience. He tells Matt Ross how the civil service has improved, where it’s missed opportunities – and what happens next

This week’s interviewee works as a learning support assistant in a large city comprehensive school

Though the skills have existed for years, knowledge and information management has only recently coalesced as a profession. Suzannah Brecknell talks to KIM head Oliver Morley about the data revolution being driven by IT 

We haven’t had a coalition government in Westminster since the 1940s – but Scottish civil servants have almost ten years of recent experience in working for a coalition. Joshua Chambers went to Holyrood to pick their brains

The number of data breaches in the NHS has increased in the last year, despite a previous call by the Information Commissioner for the service to tackle security breaches.

This week’s interviewee works in the child protection unit of a city council, and has nine years’ experience as a social worker

The Olympic Games construction project is constantly being scrutinised – not only by the media, but also by large numbers of stakeholders. Joshua Chambers talks to the man under the spotlight: ODA chairman John Armitt

The Tribunals Service has increased productivity while facing an increased workload – and it’s done so without the help of external consultants. Its boss Kevin Sadler tells Joshua Chambers about his in-house efficiency team

The new National Security Council will draw a range of departments into crucial decisions on security. Matt Ross reports on the coalition’s attempt to win cross-government consensus in a complex and unpredictable world.

What does the list of the 172 highest-earning public servants tell us about the upper echelons of government? Suzannah Brecknell reports.

This week’s interviewee is a GP with more than 20 years’ experience as a partner in an urban practice