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
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
Spending Review 2025: Tight times ahead, but no return to austerity
12 Jun Civil Service Reform
Spending Review 2025: Tight times ahead, but no return to austerity
'Helping prison leavers get jobs is a huge source of pride’: Recruitment regulator Peter Lawrence on a bumpy but rewarding year
22 Dec 2021 Civil Service Reform
'Helping prison leavers get jobs is a huge source of pride’: Recruitment regulator Peter Lawrence on a bumpy but rewarding year
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The Civil Service Commission chief exec tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
'There has been a huge collective effort across government to do things differently': Projects chief Nick Smallwood looks back at 2021
22 Dec 2021 Planning
'There has been a huge collective effort across government to do things differently': Projects chief Nick Smallwood looks back at 2021
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The Infrastructure and Projects Authority chief exec tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
‘The innovation came singing through at every level’: Shona Dunn on this year's Civil Service Awards
21 Dec 2021 HR
‘The innovation came singing through at every level’: Shona Dunn on this year's Civil Service Awards
As the 2021 Civil Service Award winners celebrate their achievement, Suzannah Brecknell speaks to awards champion Shona Dunn to find out what set them apart from a strong field of nominations
‘Lessons we’ve learned will stand us in good stead’: CCS chief Simon Tse looks back on 2021
21 Dec 2021 Commercial
‘Lessons we’ve learned will stand us in good stead’: CCS chief Simon Tse looks back on 2021
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The Crown Commercial Service chief executive tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
Roundtable: Strategic thinking Partner Content
21 Dec 2021 Digital, Data & Technology
Roundtable: Strategic thinking
The National Data Strategy committed to transforming the way government uses data but progress towards this aim remains patchy. Mark Smulian reports on a CSW roundtable discussing how to move even faster towards the goal of a truly data-driven government
‘I’m immensely proud of all my staff’: Helen Stephenson on a year of support and motivation at the Charity Commission
21 Dec 2021 Leadership
‘I’m immensely proud of all my staff’: Helen Stephenson on a year of support and motivation at the Charity Commission
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The Charity Commission CEO tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
Alex Nice: Sealing deals with Middle England
21 Dec 2021 Economy
Alex Nice: Sealing deals with Middle England
Boris Johnson's devolution-driven levelling up offer to counties is still a work in progress, but Treasury support will be vital
‘The Brexit impact was massive’: IPO chief exec Tim Moss on an unprecedented year
21 Dec 2021 Digital, Data & Technology
‘The Brexit impact was massive’: IPO chief exec Tim Moss on an unprecedented year
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The Intellectual Property Office chief exec tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with big new challenges
'BEIS's biggest challenge has been a long and unpredictable to-do list': Sarah Munby reflects on 2021
20 Dec 2021 Energy & Environment
'BEIS's biggest challenge has been a long and unpredictable to-do list': Sarah Munby reflects on 2021
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The BEIS perm sec tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
'We demonstrated how adaptable and innovative we can be': Andrew Goodall on how the Welsh Government tackled Covid
20 Dec 2021 Coronavirus
'We demonstrated how adaptable and innovative we can be': Andrew Goodall on how the Welsh Government tackled Covid
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The Welsh Government perm sec tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
'The biggest challenge we’ve faced has been responding to the increase in gender-based violence': Cross Government Gender Network
20 Dec 2021 HR
'The biggest challenge we’ve faced has been responding to the increase in gender-based violence': Cross Government Gender Network
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The Cross Government Gender Network tells us about 12 more months of dealing with the impact of Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
'An oracle would be handy': Chief medical officer Chris Whitty's New Year's wish
17 Dec 2021 Coronavirus
'An oracle would be handy': Chief medical officer Chris Whitty's New Year's wish
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The government's top medic tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
'After Cop26, the Scottish Government must go further and faster': Leslie Evans looks ahead
17 Dec 2021 Energy & Environment
'After Cop26, the Scottish Government must go further and faster': Leslie Evans looks ahead
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The Scottish Government's top official tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
'DWP must continue to adapt': Peter Schofield on 2022 – and the celebrity he'd get to cater his NYE party
16 Dec 2021 Leadership
'DWP must continue to adapt': Peter Schofield on 2022 – and the celebrity he'd get to cater his NYE party
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. DWP's permanent secretary tells us about 12 more months of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic at the same time as pushing ahead with new challenges
Jayne Brady on 2021's 'testing mix of circumstances' for Northern Ireland and becoming the first female NICS head
16 Dec 2021 Leadership
Jayne Brady on 2021's 'testing mix of circumstances' for Northern Ireland and becoming the first female NICS head
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The Northern Ireland Civil Service head tells us about 12 more months of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic at the same time as pushing ahead with new challenges
What we know about the FCDO's handling of the Afghan crisis – and what we don’t
16 Dec 2021 Foreign Affairs
What we know about the FCDO's handling of the Afghan crisis – and what we don’t
Unanswered emails, irresponsible holidays and “chaotic” processes: these are some of the accusations levelled against the Foreign Office over its handling of the Afghan crisis in August. Here's what we know – and what we don’t
Nightingale courts and remote hearings – how the MoJ adapted to Covid challenges
15 Dec 2021 Justice & Home Affairs
Nightingale courts and remote hearings – how the MoJ adapted to Covid challenges
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. Ministry of Justice permanent secretary Antonia Romeo tells us about 12 months of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic at the same time as pushing ahead with new challenges
‘2022 is about delivering on our promises’ – Alex Chisholm on his priority for the coming year
15 Dec 2021 Leadership
‘2022 is about delivering on our promises’ – Alex Chisholm on his priority for the coming year
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The Cabinet Office perm sec and civil service COO tells us about 12 more months of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic at the same time as pushing ahead with new challenges
The PM has asked Simon Case to investigate the No.10 Christmas party claims. What happens now?
10 Dec 2021 Coronavirus
The PM has asked Simon Case to investigate the No.10 Christmas party claims. What happens now?
CSW breaks down what the cabinet secretary's probe will cover and asks former Whitehall insiders what we can expect to find out next
'The big thing is unleashing people’s adaptivity': how departments should plan the future of work
02 Dec 2021 HR
'The big thing is unleashing people’s adaptivity': how departments should plan the future of work
As departments and agencies look beyond the pandemic to plan their future approaches to hybrid working, industry professionals, academics and unions share what they should be considering
Why embracing messy data can help us make better policy
26 Nov 2021 Digital, Data & Technology
Why embracing messy data can help us make better policy
It is time for government to fill its data gaps via more alternative and disruptive information sources, argues Keren Pakes
House style: Jacob Rees-Mogg on working with civil servants, and how they can better engage with parliament
24 Nov 2021 HR
House style: Jacob Rees-Mogg on working with civil servants, and how they can better engage with parliament
The leader of the House shares the training on offer for officials; his conversion to civil service fandom; and his infamous style guide
How DWP hired 13,500 new work coaches – without meeting a single one
23 Nov 2021 Digital, Data & Technology
How DWP hired 13,500 new work coaches – without meeting a single one
Faced with a Herculean hiring drive as coronavirus restrictions took hold, the department could not recruit candidates in the usual ways. So what did it do instead?
Civil service’s national diversity hides local differences
22 Nov 2021 Analysis
Civil service’s national diversity hides local differences
Welsh Government sets targets to recruit more disabled staff, while defence organisations in south-west England have low proportions of female and gay employees