‘We’ve got a long way to go but the recovery is under way’: Interview with new ONS perm sec Darren Tierney
25 Nov Civil Service Reform

‘We’ve got a long way to go but the recovery is under way’: Interview with new ONS perm sec Darren Tierney

New boss of Office for National Statistics talks to CSW about his first impressions of the stats body, prioritisation and addressing cultural issues at the department
by Tevye Markson
‘No two days are the same’ – why civil servants should volunteer as magistrates
05 Dec HR
‘No two days are the same’ – why civil servants should volunteer as magistrates
Trailblazing Women: Celebrating a century of progress in the civil service
04 Dec Civil Service Reform
Trailblazing Women: Celebrating a century of progress in the civil service
High tax, low strategy: What the 2025 Budget tells us about the British state
02 Dec Economics
High tax, low strategy: What the 2025 Budget tells us about the British state
'I could tell you 20 things that are wrong with Whitehall. But it has worked': Ex-trade chief Sir Crawford Falconer on Brexit, bureaucracy and why MOG changes are overrated
16 Jul Brexit
'I could tell you 20 things that are wrong with Whitehall. But it has worked': Ex-trade chief Sir Crawford Falconer on Brexit, bureaucracy and why MOG changes are overrated
Falconer spent seven years as the UK's chief trade negotiation adviser and second perm sec before leaving last year. In this Q&A interview, he talks about setting up the trade policy function, the pitfalls of joint departments, and lessons from Brexit
'Doing politics', handling the tough conversations, and how Alastair Campbell helped him out: Lunch with... Gus O'Donnell
15 Jul Civil Service Reform
'Doing politics', handling the tough conversations, and how Alastair Campbell helped him out: Lunch with... Gus O'Donnell
It’s been 14 years since Gus O’Donnell stepped down as cabinet secretary. Over lunch with Suzannah Brecknell he looks back on his career highlights, the series of failures that led him to become the nation’s top civil servant, and the crisis that made him wish he could return
One year on: the perm sec state of play
04 Jul HR
One year on: the perm sec state of play
How has the leadership at the top of the civil service changed since Labour came to power and how does this compare to previous changes following an election?
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
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?
Government is banking on the success of its health mission to stem the tide of health-related benefit claims. But is the approach joined up enough to have an impact?
'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
This year, the Evaluation Task Force took a new approach to designing and
delivering its annual conference. CSW finds out more about how the event
was run and asks what others can learn from the experience
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
Unions air job-security fears as IFS warns settlements leave little scope for “significant” hikes in public sector pay
Ten top tips: How to use a Civil Service Commission audit to improve recruitment practice
11 Jun HR
Ten top tips: How to use a Civil Service Commission audit to improve recruitment practice
Here's what the Commission looks for during a recruitment audit
Which tasks do public servants spend too long on? And how can AI help?
10 Jun Digital, Data & Technology
Which tasks do public servants spend too long on? And how can AI help?
The government is placing high hopes on the potential for AI to improve productivity in public services. But where can it be most of use?
Derided as the Frankenstein’s monster of Whitehall: Will Labour really abolish DCMS?
05 Jun Civil Service Reform
Derided as the Frankenstein’s monster of Whitehall: Will Labour really abolish DCMS?
As briefings against DCMS and culture secretary Lisa Nandy abound, Sophie Church and Sienna Rodgers explore why the department is so embattled and what its future might look like
'We will remember him not only for his public service but for his humanity': Tribute to Roy Stone
04 Jun
'We will remember him not only for his public service but for his humanity': Tribute to Roy Stone
Powerful yet discreet, Roy Stone worked at the heart of government for over two decades. Highly respected across all parties, he was a true public servant
From the archives: Peter Unwin on reaching the Kyoto climate change agreement, the problem with super-departments and how best to reform government
02 Jun Civil Service Reform
From the archives: Peter Unwin on reaching the Kyoto climate change agreement, the problem with super-departments and how best to reform government

The outgoing chief executive of The Whitehall & Industry Group – and a former senior civil servant in several departments – sits down with Suzannah Brecknell to discuss international negotiations, super departments, and the perils of hierarchies
Life hacks: How government can drive digital innovation
29 May Digital, Data & Technology
Life hacks: How government can drive digital innovation
MHCLG, GDS and i.AI’s recent “hackathon” event in Leeds could be the dawn of a new era in public-sector problem-solving
'Our members are losing faith': PCS's Fran Heathcote on job security, hybrid working and Labour's first 10 months Exclusive
28 May Civil Service Reform
'Our members are losing faith': PCS's Fran Heathcote on job security, hybrid working and Labour's first 10 months
Heathcote happy with Cabinet Office's engagement with the union but warns its members are starting to lose faith in the government
Wonders and blunders: The best and worst of government buildings
16 May Property & Estates
Wonders and blunders: The best and worst of government buildings
Forget break-out spaces and collaboration zones, many civil service offices of the past were ugly, impractical and unpleasant to work in. Jim Dunton explores the history of some of government’s most notorious buildings – and pays homage to some of the pioneering ones too
‘Devastating’: Why are hundreds of DWP staff at risk of losing their jobs and ability to stay in the UK?
15 May HR
‘Devastating’: Why are hundreds of DWP staff at risk of losing their jobs and ability to stay in the UK?
A quirk in the Department for Work and Pension’s pay policy means hundreds of staff are unable to extend their visas
Jobs moving out of London, office closures and Fast Stream targets: How much of today's civil service reform announcement is new?
14 May Civil Service Reform
Jobs moving out of London, office closures and Fast Stream targets: How much of today's civil service reform announcement is new?
Ministers have also promised "thousands" of jobs will move to the regions and 50% of Fast Stream roles will be based outside the capital
A perm sec refresh is a moment of opportunity for ministers to shape Whitehall’s leadership
13 May Civil Service Reform
A perm sec refresh is a moment of opportunity for ministers to shape Whitehall’s leadership
A reshuffle of perm secs is under way. Here's how ministers can make the most of it
UK aid is ten times more scrutinised than other government spending
12 May Finance
UK aid is ten times more scrutinised than other government spending
While aid-spending agencies make up only 1.3% of UK government spending, they are the subject of 12.5% of all government evaluations
'We have two separate eggs here': Are job-shares all they're cracked up to be?
02 May HR
'We have two separate eggs here': Are job-shares all they're cracked up to be?
Job-sharing has taken off across the civil service, and is being hailed as the key to diversity at senior levels. But how did we get here? And are the 'personal overheads' worth it?
Lord Bichard: Inquiry chairs should not feel pressured to make recommendations that are ‘convenient’ to officials
01 May Civil Service Reform
Lord Bichard: Inquiry chairs should not feel pressured to make recommendations that are ‘convenient’ to officials
Highlights from a House of Lords debate into the effectiveness of statutory inquiries
Software update: What's new in the 'new GDS'?
29 Apr Civil Service Reform
Software update: What's new in the 'new GDS'?
After signalling its intention to revamp government’s core digital operations, the new administration has now set out detailed plans for doing so – while keeping Whitehall’s most recognisable tech brand in play
Trust yourself: What can civil servants gain from becoming charity trustees?
28 Apr
Trust yourself: What can civil servants gain from becoming charity trustees?
Volunteering has more benefits than you might realise, from career progression to wellbeing. How can officials reach out and make a difference?
'Everyone felt they had a stake in it': The award-winning programme that brought 4G to remote corners of Scotland
25 Apr Digital, Data & Technology
'Everyone felt they had a stake in it': The award-winning programme that brought 4G to remote corners of Scotland
How the Scottish Government programme leveraged public and private sector expertise to bring 4G to thousands of residents and businesses in remote locations