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
A practical approach to net zero targets in the public sector Partner Content
22 Nov 2021 Energy & Environment
A practical approach to net zero targets in the public sector
Setting and achieving the net zero targets set by the Scottish and UK governments is an ongoing journey, and the clock is ticking. Daniel Botterill, chief executive of Rio ESG, sheds light on how to take the first, crucial steps
Budget 2021: What we know, and what we don't
18 Nov 2021 Finance
Budget 2021: What we know, and what we don't
As the dust settles on the first multi-year spending review since 2015, CSW explores the known knowns and the known unknowns
An open door to DDaT and a surfeit of sign-ins: what next for digital government?
05 Nov 2021 Digital, Data & Technology
An open door to DDaT and a surfeit of sign-ins: what next for digital government?
Government’s digital leaders discussed challenges and plans for the months ahead at techUK’s annual public sector tech conference. We listened in
Read the October 2021 edition of Civil Service World
04 Nov 2021
Read the October 2021 edition of Civil Service World
CSW takes a look at the civil service’s role in hosting the landmark COP conference
Read the September 2021 edition of Civil Service World
04 Nov 2021
Read the September 2021 edition of Civil Service World
The impact of coronavirus is still being felt across government, even now that ministers have lifted many of the restrictions put in place during the pandemic. September’s edition of CSW looks at what some of the longer-term impacts will be.
First principles: Ian Watmore’s reflections on his time as first civil service commissioner
04 Nov 2021 Brexit
First principles: Ian Watmore’s reflections on his time as first civil service commissioner
The outgoing first civil service commissioner reveals what made him proudest – and what still causes him regret – during five tumultuous years
Andrew Hudson: The real Treasury view of the Spending Review
03 Nov 2021 Economy
Andrew Hudson: The real Treasury view of the Spending Review
The Treasury will be pleased with how the Spending Review has been received in Whitehall. But longer term issues will still worry it
Cool like the other side of the pillow: the thinking technique that can help solve Whitehall problems
02 Nov 2021 Civil Service Reform
Cool like the other side of the pillow: the thinking technique that can help solve Whitehall problems
A Japanese teaching device has helped Colin Talbot think through some of government’s enduring problems. He explains how it can help you too
Cop26: Can Whitehall help pave the way to net zero?
01 Nov 2021 Energy & Environment
Cop26: Can Whitehall help pave the way to net zero?
The government is due to set out new targets to make the civil service carbon neutral. Mark Rowe takes a look at what progress has been made so far, and what still needs to be done
Garry Graham: As the pay freeze ends, ministers must enact real reform
27 Oct 2021 HR
Garry Graham: As the pay freeze ends, ministers must enact real reform
Increasing budgets and more leeway on pay gives ministers a chance to enact much-needed pay reform argues Garry Graham. Whether they do so will show how committed they are to building and supporting a skilled civil service
Spending reviews: a short history
27 Oct 2021 Economy
Spending reviews: a short history
As chancellor Rishi Sunak sets out his latest spending review, Colin Talbot digs into the history of this deceptively simple fiscal event
Delivering change across the public sector Partner Content
27 Oct 2021 Civil Service Reform
Delivering change across the public sector
It’s a bit of cliché, but it’s still true that most change efforts fail. Asking three simple questions can significantly improve the chances of success, argues Subash Viroomal
Changing places: What it's really like to work in the Treasury, and the inside story of its Darlington campus
26 Oct 2021 Finance
Changing places: What it's really like to work in the Treasury, and the inside story of its Darlington campus
The Treasury has a long history, and its reputation as Whitehall’s most intimidating department casts a long shadow. But two DGs tell Richard Johnstone that perception doesn’t match reality
‘Cutting edge’ or a ‘security nightmare’? Government anti-espionage unit on the tech behind Bond gadgets
21 Oct 2021 Security & Defence
‘Cutting edge’ or a ‘security nightmare’? Government anti-espionage unit on the tech behind Bond gadgets
As No Time To Die smashes box-office records, technical experts from the UK National Authority for Counter-Eavesdropping tell us whether 007’s favourite spy toys are rooted in reality
How to Cop: Senior civil servants reveal the planning for the Glasgow climate conference, and how the landmark talks will run Exclusive
19 Oct 2021 Energy & Environment
How to Cop: Senior civil servants reveal the planning for the Glasgow climate conference, and how the landmark talks will run
The Cop26 summit will be the biggest ever international event held in the UK. Richard Johnstone speaks to two senior civil servants about the planning for the conference, and the long nights ahead
Andy Cowper: Learning the lessons from Covid-19
18 Oct 2021 Coronavirus
Andy Cowper: Learning the lessons from Covid-19
At a time of taxing politics – and politicising taxes – a government review of NHS management mustn’t get in the way of learning from the pandemic
Black History Month: Minorities shouldn’t need to excel to be accepted
15 Oct 2021
Black History Month: Minorities shouldn’t need to excel to be accepted
In a personal opinion, civil servant Ayo Awoyungbo explains why he’s not celebrating this Black History Month
Opinion: Ministers risk becoming leaden-footed luddites as work from home row rumbles on
14 Oct 2021 HR
Opinion: Ministers risk becoming leaden-footed luddites as work from home row rumbles on
Every day seems to bring new jibes at hard working civil servants over office returns. But eventually reality will catch up with
'We need allies': Kelsey-Rae Williams on the importance of strong networks, supportive mentors and lessons from her parents as she progressed into leadership
14 Oct 2021 HR
"We need allies": Kelsey-Rae Williams on the importance of strong networks, supportive mentors and lessons from her parents as she progressed into leadership
The head of equality, diversity, and inclusion at Kew, Royal Botanic Gardens shares her leadership lessons
From laying the groundwork for Northern Ireland peace to chairing the Iraq Inquiry: Sir John Chilcot remembered
13 Oct 2021 Security & Defence
From laying the groundwork for Northern Ireland peace to chairing the Iraq Inquiry: Sir John Chilcot remembered
Sir John Chilcot, who died on 3 October 2021, was a highly regarded public servant whose name will forever be associated the forensic inquiry on the Iraq war which he chaired. His proudest achievement, though, was helping to bring peace in Northern Ireland. Here we share tributes to Sir John, written by people who worked with him during his distinguished career
Garry Graham: If the PM wants a high wage economy, let’s see that reflected in the civil service
08 Oct 2021 Economy
Garry Graham: If the PM wants a high wage economy, let’s see that reflected in the civil service
Officials have suffered a decade of pay restraint. If the government is serious about boosting pay, it must show it in the coming pay round
Opinion: How does Boris Johnson plan to reform government without Dominic Cummings?
04 Oct 2021 Civil Service Reform
Opinion: How does Boris Johnson plan to reform government without Dominic Cummings?
The government has set out some plans to change how the British state works, but has not yet developed a plan for delivering it. Colin Talbot looks at what is missing
Take a chance on me
30 Sep 2021 Civil Service Reform
Take a chance on me
During National Inclusion week, CSW looks at the Going Forward into Employment programme, which is giving opportunities to those who need them most, and bringing new talents into government
‘Dear chief secretary…’: An ex-Treasury DG’s dos and don’ts for the Spending Review
28 Sep 2021 Finance
‘Dear chief secretary…’: An ex-Treasury DG’s dos and don’ts for the Spending Review
Following the government’s reshuffle, the Treasury has a new chief secretary in Simon Clarke. Andrew Hudson, a former Treasury director general, briefed new ministers following the 2010 general election, and he draws on this experience to write his own briefing for Clarke’s desk