Final performance: what the closure of the government’s Performance Platform means
07 Apr Civil Service Reform

Final performance: what the closure of the government’s Performance Platform means

Government is closing two centralised tools to make data available to departments and the public. Sam Trendall finds out more
by Sam Trendall
Colin Talbot: How public servants can make the machine work for them
09 Apr Civil Service Reform
Colin Talbot: How public servants can make the machine work for them
'Courage is the first quality you need': Barbara Hosking's civil service career recollections
31 Mar
'Courage is the first quality you need': Barbara Hosking's civil service career recollections
How civil servants can prepare for the Covid decade
30 Mar Coronavirus
How civil servants can prepare for the Covid decade
‘It is important that leaders are visible, approachable, and prioritise the wellbeing of their colleagues’: Defra perm sec Tamara Finkelstein's 2020 leadership lessons
18 Dec 2020
‘It is important that leaders are visible, approachable, and prioritise the wellbeing of their colleagues’: Defra perm sec Tamara Finkelstein's 2020 leadership lessons
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘I will use the hours usually lost on the motorways to pause, reflect and refresh’: National statistician Prof Sir Ian Diamond's festive plans
18 Dec 2020
‘I will use the hours usually lost on the motorways to pause, reflect and refresh’: National statistician Prof Sir Ian Diamond's festive plans
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘Seeing colleagues step up at a time of such uncertainty made me very proud’: GDS DG Fiona Deans on 2020
18 Dec 2020
‘Seeing colleagues step up at a time of such uncertainty made me very proud’: GDS DG Fiona Deans on 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
'This year has thrown us lots of challenges around ensuring people can work from home’: Civil Service Disability Network chair Sue Reeves on 2020
18 Dec 2020 Leadership
'This year has thrown us lots of challenges around ensuring people can work from home’: Civil Service Disability Network chair Sue Reeves on 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘Covid has meant we’ve had to adapt our reforms, but we’re still driving change’: Companies House's Louise Smyth on the impact of 2020
18 Dec 2020 Leadership
‘Covid has meant we’ve had to adapt our reforms, but we’re still driving change’: Companies House's Louise Smyth on the impact of 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘A key challenge will be how to ensure that the promotion of race equality and inclusion is embedded across reforms’: Civil Service Race Forum chairs review 2020 and look ahead to 2021
18 Dec 2020 Civil Service Reform
‘A key challenge will be how to ensure that the promotion of race equality and inclusion is embedded across reforms’: Civil Service Race Forum chairs review 2020 and look ahead to 2021
As 2021 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2020, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
‘It was a year of hard choices’: NCA director general Lynne Owens reflects on 2020
18 Dec 2020 Leadership
‘It was a year of hard choices’: NCA director general Lynne Owens reflects on 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘I've found it really hard not to be able to see people face to face’: DCMS perm sec Sarah Healey on working through Covid
18 Dec 2020 Leadership
‘I've found it really hard not to be able to see people face to face’: DCMS perm sec Sarah Healey on working through Covid
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘Understanding which impacts are temporary and which are permanent will be key to 2021’: IPO chief exec Tim Moss’s Covid reflections
18 Dec 2020 Leadership
‘Understanding which impacts are temporary and which are permanent will be key to 2021’: IPO chief exec Tim Moss’s Covid reflections
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
NAO chief Gareth Davies on Covid: ‘We adjusted to fully remote auditing without compromising on quality’
18 Dec 2020 Leadership
NAO chief Gareth Davies on Covid: ‘We adjusted to fully remote auditing without compromising on quality’
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
Less ‘just in time’, more ‘just in case’: How government can be a better customer when the next crisis hits
16 Dec 2020 Commercial
Less ‘just in time’, more ‘just in case’: How government can be a better customer when the next crisis hits
There have been some government procurement successes during Covid-19, but there are also many lessons to be learned, says Aidan Shilson-Thomas, a senior researcher at the think-tank Reform
Opinion: There is evidence of workplace bias in the civil service – we need some way of addressing that
16 Dec 2020 HR
Opinion: There is evidence of workplace bias in the civil service – we need some way of addressing that
If the government is determined to eliminate discrimination in the workplace, then it’s time we saw the evidence, says Prospect’s Garry Graham
Perm secs round-up 2020: Reflections from the top of government on a year like no other
16 Dec 2020 Leadership
Perm secs round-up 2020: Reflections from the top of government on a year like no other
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
'Changes at the top of departments always present exciting opportunities': Attorney General's Office DG Shehzad Charania reflects on the 'privilege' of leadership during a challenging year
15 Dec 2020 Leadership
'Changes at the top of departments always present exciting opportunities': Attorney General's Office DG Shehzad Charania reflects on the 'privilege' of leadership during a challenging year
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
'Our people didn’t just manage, they excelled': Peter Schofield on how DWP handled the pandemic
15 Dec 2020 Leadership
'Our people didn’t just manage, they excelled': Peter Schofield on how DWP handled the pandemic
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
'We have paid a heavy price in healthcare postponed': Chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty on a year fighting Covid-19
15 Dec 2020 Leadership
'We have paid a heavy price in healthcare postponed': Chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty on a year fighting Covid-19
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘2020 has been the most testing time I’ve experienced as a leader’: Scottish Government perm sec Leslie Evans looks back at a ‘volatile’ and ‘complex’ year
15 Dec 2020 Leadership
‘2020 has been the most testing time I’ve experienced as a leader’: Scottish Government perm sec Leslie Evans looks back at a ‘volatile’ and ‘complex’ year
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
Home Office perm sec Matthew Rycroft reflects on taking over the department in lockdown
15 Dec 2020 Leadership
Home Office perm sec Matthew Rycroft reflects on taking over the department in lockdown
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘We must rebuild Britain’: IPA chief Nick Smallwood reflects on 2020 and looks to the year ahead
15 Dec 2020 Leadership
‘We must rebuild Britain’: IPA chief Nick Smallwood reflects on 2020 and looks to the year ahead
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘One of the hardest things has been to retain a sense of community’: GIAA chief Elizabeth Honer on 2020
14 Dec 2020 Leadership
‘One of the hardest things has been to retain a sense of community’: GIAA chief Elizabeth Honer on 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘We’ve had to update guidance daily’: Acas chief executive Susan Clews on the impact of Covid
14 Dec 2020 Leadership
‘We’ve had to update guidance daily’: Acas chief executive Susan Clews on the impact of Covid
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman on a challenging year for education, and how the department will get back to business as usual in 2021
14 Dec 2020 Leadership
Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman on a challenging year for education, and how the department will get back to business as usual in 2021
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘We were not set up for this’: How financial regulators are adapting to Covid
07 Dec 2020 Coronavirus
‘We were not set up for this’: How financial regulators are adapting to Covid
As part of a series of virtual roundtable discussions, Civil Service World and Hitachi Solutions examined the impact of the pandemic on financial regulators. Geoffrey Lyons reports
How the government’s Covid-19 response revealed the real barriers to transformation
02 Dec 2020 Coronavirus
How the government’s Covid-19 response revealed the real barriers to transformation
The government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic saw projects rolled out at unprecedented speed. A panel of officials came together to share how they did it – and what the lessons are. By Charlotte Newbury and Richard Johnstone