‘Rubbish’ pay, the training ‘taboo’ and waning diversity: Insights from a civil service reform talk with ex-cab sec Gus O’Donnell
01 Nov 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
by Tevye Markson
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'The chief exec called me his plumber because I fixed things': Reflections on 45 years in the civil service
'Our job is to bring people and issues together': A guide to the project delivery profession
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'Our job is to bring people and issues together': A guide to the project delivery profession
New prize will help business department find out what it doesn't know it needs to know
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New prize will help business department find out what it doesn't know it needs to know
Speak out: tips from a voice coach on how to project confidence and authority
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Speak out: tips from a voice coach on how to project confidence and authority
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‘Get used to knowing less than everyone else’: Ex-ministers share tips on starting in a new role
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Former Cabinet Office minister also reveals how they were accidentally offered two jobs in a reshuffle
Shaping health security: In conversation with UKHSA's chief scientist
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Shaping health security: In conversation with UKHSA's chief scientist
The UK Health Security Agency recently published its first ever science strategy, which looks at how to prepare for threats over the next decade. Its chief scientist Isabel Oliver shares the highlights
Director's cut with DCMS job-sharers Becky Morrison and Hannah Malik
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Director's cut with DCMS job-sharers Becky Morrison and Hannah Malik
Directors do some of the most interesting and challenging work in the civil service. Here, Becky Morrison and Hannah Malik, Director of civil society and youth (job share) at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, explain what it takes to do their job
Eyerolls, avoiding the phone and docs in the bin – how civil service leaders have responded to reform efforts
02 Aug Civil Service Reform
Eyerolls, avoiding the phone and docs in the bin – how civil service leaders have responded to reform efforts
Former senior government leaders set out barriers to reform in think tank report
Director's cut with FCDO's David Whineray
01 Aug Foreign Affairs
Director's cut with FCDO's David Whineray
Directors do some of the most interesting and challenging work in the civil service. Here, David Whineray, director of global health at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, explains what it takes to do his job
Director's cut with MoJ's James Dowler
31 Jul Justice & Home Affairs
Director's cut with MoJ's James Dowler
Directors do some of the most interesting and challenging work in the civil service. Here, James Dowler, director for international, rights and constitutional policy at Ministry of Justice, explains what it takes to do his job
Better together: Lessons from a decade of Shared Services
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Better together: Lessons from a decade of Shared Services
It is 10 years since the government committed to an ambitious shared services strategy. CSW reports on a roundtable that discussed progress and sought to identify challenges ahead
Trains of thought: making the most of training opportunities for managers and their teams
27 Jul HR
Trains of thought: making the most of training opportunities for managers and their teams
In the first of a two-part series, Tina Seth takes a look at different types of training and how to make the most of them
Heavy Duty: How the Department for Education worked to tackle the HGV driver shortages
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Fiona Mee Alvares, John Wright, and David Bussey explain how DfE's Skills Bootcamp allowed individuals with no, or limited prior experience, as well as qualified HGV drivers to gain additional in-demand HGV qualifications
What is social research and why does it matter? Head of profession Jenny Dibden explains all
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Test of the best: The past, present and future of civil service entrance exams
21 Jul Analysis
Test of the best: The past, present and future of civil service entrance exams
How we decide who joins the civil service has a profound impact on the work of government, argues Andrew Greenway. If there wasn’t a good reason before to think hard about how we assess and predict civil servants' competence, there certainly is now...
Power to the people: How we can deliver open government
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Power to the people: How we can deliver open government
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Book review: How Westminster Works... and Why It Doesn't by Ian Dunt
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Book review: How Westminster Works... and Why It Doesn't by Ian Dunt
This detailed exploration of Whitehall and Westminster offers a peek into the corridors of power and starts a valuable conversation about the need for reform
PACAC to the future – William Wragg interview
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PACAC to the future – William Wragg interview
Tevye Markson sits down with the “baby-faced assassin” William Wragg to discuss chairing a select committee, his hopes for the civil service and how it feels to be leaving politics behind
'Good, grown up policymaking': How DLUHC is working to fix 'broken' housing system
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Emran Mian talks to Beckie Smith about raising standards in social housing, putting “moral pressure” on landlords, and the importance of partnership working
What does a second permanent secretary do and why are there so many of them?
18 Jul Civil Service Reform
What does a second permanent secretary do and why are there so many of them?
More and more departments are appointing second permanent secretaries. Beckie Smith speaks to civil service leaders and outside experts to find out more
Pay, reform and why People Survey results were 'not bad, actually' – the Alex Chisholm interview
17 Jul Civil Service Reform
Pay, reform and why People Survey results were 'not bad, actually' – the Alex Chisholm interview
Against a tempestuous backdrop of industrial action and concerns over staff morale, civil service chief operating officer Alex Chisholm tells Tevye Markson how he is working to make government better and civil servants happier
The three ways that Whitehall must improve its approach to devolution
14 Jul Local & Devolved
The three ways that Whitehall must improve its approach to devolution
The Institute for Government’s Akash Paun, Duncan Henderson and Peter Hourston share their insights on how government can master the art of transferring responsibility to local areas
Don't let your minister eat mayo: What I learnt in private office
14 Jul HR
Don't let your minister eat mayo: What I learnt in private office
Former SCS Katie shares what’s worked – the ideas, tips and strategies that can help you overcome the obstacles you may face in private office
Making civil servants' jobs easier with 'nerdy tech' - Mark Thompson interview
13 Jul Digital, Data & Technology
Making civil servants' jobs easier with 'nerdy tech' - Mark Thompson interview
The next phases of government’s data revolution have the potential to truly transform the way the civil service operates, but business cases are not enough to deliver results. Suzannah Brecknell talks to Mark Thompson, director of data, platforms and interoperability in the Cabinet Office’s Government People Group
Two leaders outline how the commercial sector can support women in reaching their full potential Partner Content
12 Jul Commercial
Two leaders outline how the commercial sector can support women in reaching their full potential
Home Office's Sam Ulyatt and DHSC's Melinda Johnson discuss the importance of education, culture, mindset, and supporting talent to support women
Tribute to Lord Kerslake
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Tribute to Lord Kerslake
An outstanding permanent secretary, and later also civil service head, Bob Kerslake became a champion of social housing and sustainable communities
Too many cooks in the kitchen? Here’s a recipe for cross-government success
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Too many cooks in the kitchen? Here’s a recipe for cross-government success
Complex challenges increasingly require officials to work across departmental boundaries, but it's not always easy to deliver on these shared projects. Sian Jones offers advice from the latest National Audit Office guide which aims to help civil servants get better together