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
Civil service reform is back on the agenda; and there’s plenty to be done
29 Nov 2023 Civil Service Reform
Civil service reform is back on the agenda; and there’s plenty to be done
National Audit Office Director Kate Caulkin places the independent public spending watchdog’s latest report on the civil service in the context of wider reforms
'The chief exec called me his plumber because I fixed things': Reflections on 45 years in the civil service
28 Nov 2023 Finance
'The chief exec called me his plumber because I fixed things': Reflections on 45 years in the civil service
From humble beginnings as a prisoners' monies clerk to senior posts in the Treasury, Kevin Ross shares his journey through the civil service
'Our job is to bring people and issues together': A guide to the project delivery profession
23 Nov 2023 HR
'Our job is to bring people and issues together': A guide to the project delivery profession
In this series, CSW provides a guide to professions and functions across the civil service. Each briefing looks at a different group, offering a glimpse of what they do and how they work with different parts of government
New prize will help business department find out what it doesn't know it needs to know
16 Nov 2023 Analysis
New prize will help business department find out what it doesn't know it needs to know
As DBT launches a new prize for early-career researchers, head of analysis Ben Cropper explains the importance of broadening and fostering conversation with external experts so analysts are better prepared to answer the questions of the future
More outsiders, MOG changes and letting civil servants speak: 10 big takeaways from Maude's review
15 Nov 2023 Civil Service Reform
More outsiders, MOG changes and letting civil servants speak: 10 big takeaways from Maude's review
Maude's recommendation-packed review includes calls for an outsider to lead the civil service, new powers for ministers and greater transparency
Psy masters: A guide to the occupational psychology profession
10 Nov 2023 HR
Psy masters: A guide to the occupational psychology profession
Occupational psychologists aim to improve people’s experience of work. Profession head Sonia Pawson and DWP chief psychologist Antonia Dietmann share common misconceptions and how they fell in love with the profession
'The pace of policymaking has to increase': Climate change expert Simon Sharpe discusses progress towards net zero
03 Nov 2023 Energy & Environment
'The pace of policymaking has to increase': Climate change expert Simon Sharpe discusses progress towards net zero
Climate change expert and former senior civil servant Simon Sharpe speaks to Mark Rowe about the role officials can play in tackling climate risks and driving progress towards net zero
‘Rubbish’ pay, the training ‘taboo’ and waning diversity: Insights from a civil service reform talk with ex-cab sec Gus O’Donnell
01 Nov 2023 HR
‘Rubbish’ pay, the training ‘taboo’ and waning diversity: Insights from a civil service reform talk with ex-cab sec Gus O’Donnell
Highlights from a civil reform chat with O'Donnell, Civil Unrest report author Amy Gandon, and Reform director Charlotte Pickles
Johnson 'weak', cab sec's 'scapegoat' fears, more leaving drinks: Covid Inquiry evidence shows turmoil behind the scenes
31 Oct 2023 Coronavirus
Johnson 'weak', cab sec's 'scapegoat' fears, more leaving drinks: Covid Inquiry evidence shows turmoil behind the scenes
Patrick Vallance says advisers tried to "strong arm" him into post-Cummings scandal press briefing and Simon Case says he is "pissed off" over Partygate event
Greening the way: CSW explores government progress on sustainability targets
30 Oct 2023 Energy & Environment
Greening the way: CSW explores government progress on sustainability targets
The government has attempted to demonstrate the path to a greener future through its Greening Government Commitments. How far has it got?
A stronger civil service head and more ministerial appointments: Maude shares highlights of his review
27 Oct 2023 Civil Service Reform
A stronger civil service head and more ministerial appointments: Maude shares highlights of his review
Francis Maude says his civil service governance review will also recommend splitting the Treasury
In conversation with Jess Bowie
26 Oct 2023 Leadership
In conversation with Jess Bowie
A bygone era saw women having to leave their civil service roles when they got married, a policy that for Foreign Office staff was only abolished in 1973. As part of the Women in Westminster series, we sat down with Civil Service World co-editor Jess Bowie to learn how things have changed for female officials and why recognising the unsung heroes who keep the country running is more important than ever
Lunch with... psychologist and 'nudge' guru David Halpern
25 Oct 2023 Policy
Lunch with... psychologist and 'nudge' guru David Halpern
Jess Bowie meets the founding director of the Behavioural Insights Team
Last chance to change: What more must the government do to build climate resilience?
18 Oct 2023 Energy & Environment
Last chance to change: What more must the government do to build climate resilience?
As climate change begins to intensify, the government has a lot to do to make our society more resilient to its consequences. We find out what government is getting right and where it needs to improve.
'What keeps me up at night is worrying about what we don’t know': Elysia McCaffrey on running the GLAA
13 Oct 2023 Justice & Home Affairs
'What keeps me up at night is worrying about what we don’t know': Elysia McCaffrey on running the GLAA
Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority chief Elysia McCaffrey’s connection to the civil service started at a young age. She talks about rooting out exploitation of workers, getting the GLAA to pass the Ronseal test, and the power of yoga
'Part of our job is making technology approachable': Government tech chief David Knott on transformation and curiosity
11 Oct 2023 Digital, Data & Technology
'Part of our job is making technology approachable': Government tech chief David Knott on transformation and curiosity
Government’s recently appointed chief technology officer talks tackling legacy IT, exploring generative AI, diversifying the cloud landscape – and his return to government after 35 years
Rishi Sunak's Network North transport pledges: How much have we seen before?
06 Oct 2023 Policy
Rishi Sunak's Network North transport pledges: How much have we seen before?
CSW and PoliticsHome analyse the government's plans to scrap the northern leg of HS2 and instead spend the money on a new Network North project to improve transport across the country
Minding your business: Is there a mental-health crisis in the civil service?
06 Oct 2023 HR
Minding your business: Is there a mental-health crisis in the civil service?
Following reports of a mental-health crisis, we explore the figures and talks to experts about coping strategies for individuals and the organisations that employ them
We're all in this together: How can civil service professions collaborate better?
04 Oct 2023 HR
We're all in this together: How can civil service professions collaborate better?
Changes in career pathway planning have altered how the civil service works. So, how do you make the best of expertise in the age of professions?
How the ONS is harnessing data to prepare for future pandemics
03 Oct 2023 Coronavirus
How the ONS is harnessing data to prepare for future pandemics
Good data played a key part in informing the UK response to the coronavirus pandemic. But what lessons can be learned and how can we best prepare not only ourselves, but the rest of the world if, and when, another pandemic hits?
On the road: Government senior officials reflect on roadmap for digital reform progress
29 Sep 2023 Digital, Data & Technology
On the road: Government senior officials reflect on roadmap for digital reform progress
A year since the government launched its roadmap for digital reform, CSW convened leaders from across government to reflect on progress so far
Head of profession profile: Government science and engineering boss Angela McLean
28 Sep 2023 Health & Social Care
Head of profession profile: Government science and engineering boss Angela McLean
The government science and engineering profession is headed by chief scientific adviser Professor Dame Angela McLean. To mark GSE Recognition Week, CSW meets her to find out more about the profession and her own career so far
Stat your service: Meet the winners of the RSS Campion Awards
27 Sep 2023 Statistics
Stat your service: Meet the winners of the RSS Campion Awards
An award-winning Department for Education team tells CSW how it transformed access to school attendance data, moving from termly to fortnightly publications in less than six months
The new wonkocracy: Who are the think tanks shaping Labour policy?
26 Sep 2023 Policy
The new wonkocracy: Who are the think tanks shaping Labour policy?
Political parties are gearing up for a general election next year and think tanks are busy trying to exert influence on their manifestos and beyond. With polls pointing to a Labour victory, Chaminda Jayanetti considers the organisations – some new, some familiar – which are helping to shape the policies of Keir Starmer and the shadow cabinet