The 'curse of the decentralising minister', said Nick Clegg, is 'responsibility without power'. But officials are also losing power - over budgets for which they remain legally accountable. Matt Ross reports on a growing tension.

A mental health activity facilitator at an acute psychiatric ward is worried that cuts are causing patient care to be diluted

After the era of national, top-down strategies, the government is moving into an age of diverse, local solutions. Joshua Chambers investigates the first substantive example of this approach in action: the broadband roll-out.

Relations between the Ministry of Defence and its select committee have not always been easy. But its chairman James Arbuthnot tells Ben Willis that MoD officials shouldn’t view the committee corridor as enemy territory.

The Centre for Social Justice’s new report argues for a concentration on achievements rather than appearances. Its director Gavin Poole tells Matt Ross how, starting with the DWP, these ideas are set to transform government.

Una O’Brien has taken the helm at the Department of Health as the NHS undergoes the most fundamental reforms in its history. She tells Suzannah Brecknell that persistence and partnership working will make those reforms work.

The government wants public sector workers to come together and set up their own companies, embarking on a new life as contractors. Joshua Chambers looks at the obstacles in their way, and how they can be overcome.

This week we meet a hospital doctor, who discusses changes to the medical career ladder

With civil service compensation reformed, managers must now oversee an orderly exit programme to reduce their workforces while upholding morale and retaining the right skills and people. Suzannah Brecknell reports.

The Office for Civil Society’s new chief, Gareth Davies, is leading the Big Society agenda – and that means knocking through the walls between government, the voluntary sector and local communities. Matt Ross meets him.

Darra Singh has had a year to get used to running the vast agency Jobcentre Plus. Now for the difficult bit: turning this traditionally insular body into a pioneer of local co-location and collaboration. Matt Ross meets him.

This week, an architect explains why school design matters – and warns that current policies will damage pupils’ education.

There is life after Whitehall, even if you leave a little earlier than planned. Suzannah Brecknell speaks to former Treasury permanent secretary Lord Burns, who believes that civil service skills have real value in the jobs market.

BIS permanent secretary Martin Donnelly would like to protect an insipid image while his department handles some political hot potatoes and sheds staff. But Joshua Chambers finds that his job is anything but bland.

Schools have improved in recent years, says a primary school teacher, but the renewed emphasis on testing won’t work for all pupils – and the cuts present a danger to many children’s education

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude is overseeing a wide range of organisational, process and management change programmes – at breakneck speed. He takes Matt Ross on a gallop through his reform agenda.

A council officer responsible for assembling project funding explains why even EU schemes are suffering from Whitehall reforms

Ever-diplomatic, ever-smiling, but with a hard-edged reputation for delivering reform, David Normington is leaving the Home Office for pastures new. He speaks to Suzannah Brecknell about his roles - past and future.

This week’s public servant is a technician working for the BBC World Service

Chief operating officer, Efficiency and Reform Group, Cabinet Office

Government chief information officer, Cabinet Office

Chief executive, Jobcentre Plus

Permanent secretary, Department for International Development

Second permanent secretary, HM Treasury