Perm secs round-up 2021: top officials say goodbye to a tumultuous year and look ahead to 2022
31 Dec 2021 Leadership

Perm secs round-up 2021: top officials say goodbye to a tumultuous year and look ahead to 2022

Government leaders share the highs and lows of 2021 and set out their priorities for next year in CSW's annual round up
by Civil Service World
London in the rear view mirror: we need to get the basics right when relocating civil servants
25 Jan Civil Service Reform
London in the rear view mirror: we need to get the basics right when relocating civil servants
Read the January 2022 issue of Civil Service World
24 Jan Civil Service Reform
Read the January 2022 issue of Civil Service World
All the major Covid backlogs government must 'get a grip' of in 2022
04 Jan Coronavirus
All the major Covid backlogs government must 'get a grip' of in 2022
'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
Dave Penman: Oliver Dowden is pedalling falsehoods with his Peloton attack on civil servants
07 Oct 2021 HR
Dave Penman: Oliver Dowden is pedalling falsehoods with his Peloton attack on civil servants
Oliver Dowden knows his attack on officials working from home was untrue, but he is happy to undermine morale for cheap laughs at party conference
Book review: Lord Willetts reviews Lord Freud’s analysis of DWP welfare reform
05 Oct 2021 Leadership
Book review: Lord Willetts reviews Lord Freud’s analysis of DWP welfare reform
A fascinating account of modern British government, Lord Freud’s book is a reminder of how much experienced ministers can achieve, says Lord Willetts
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
Any complaints? How government can use public feedback to improve services
24 Sep 2021 Operational Delivery
Any complaints? How government can use public feedback to improve services
Public complaints are a vital part of government accountability, and offer valuable insights for improving services. But reform is needed to make the most of them, says former senior civil servant William Goodhind
Building blocks: National Infrastructure Commission chief James Heath on taking the reins during lockdown Exclusive
23 Sep 2021 Economy
Building blocks: National Infrastructure Commission chief James Heath on taking the reins during lockdown
As the National Infrastructure Commission begins work on its next assessment of the UK’s future needs, chief executive James Heath talks to Richard Johnstone about taking a long-term perspective, the impact of Covid, and monitoring government commitments
Opinion: what makes a reform?
22 Sep 2021 Health & Social Care
Opinion: what makes a reform?
Social care changes announced by government are a big change in the sector. But whether they meet the prime ministers pledge to fix a plethora of problems remains to be seen
'I always look calm. I don’t necessarily feel that way': Jenny Harries on Covid-19 and founding the UK Health Security Agency Exclusive
21 Sep 2021 Coronavirus
'I always look calm. I don’t necessarily feel that way': Jenny Harries on Covid-19 and founding the UK Health Security Agency
Dr Jenny Harries became UKHSA's first chief executive, after being an integral part of the government’s response to Covid-19 as deputy chief medical officer. She shares the experience
Lifting the load: Bernadette Thompson shares her leadership insights
16 Sep 2021 HR
Lifting the load: Bernadette Thompson shares her leadership insights
Bernadette Thompson, a deputy director in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, shares her thoughts on compassionate leadership and the importance of supporting others as you forge your own career
Andy Cowper: So, are social care and the NHS now sorted?
15 Sep 2021 Health & Social Care
Andy Cowper: So, are social care and the NHS now sorted?
The government’s tax hike for health and social care will provide extra funding, but does it go far enough?
Opinion: As the government considers its approach to regulation, here’s how it could improve scrutiny
13 Sep 2021 Policy
Opinion: As the government considers its approach to regulation, here’s how it could improve scrutiny
Regulatory Policy Committee chair Stephen Gibson shares his thoughts as the government consults on reforming the Better Regulation Framework 
In confidence: Karina Singh, director of transformation at HM Land Registry discusses leadership styles
08 Sep 2021 Civil Service Reform
In confidence: Karina Singh, director of transformation at HM Land Registry discusses leadership styles
A few months after joining the civil service as a summer job, Karina Singh was taking on her first leadership role. Now leading transformation at HM Land Registry, she talks to CSW about the importance of testing and trusting yourself as you carve out your own leadership style
Mixed messaging: Lee Cain's proposals to reform government communications need more clarity
07 Sep 2021 Communications
Mixed messaging: Lee Cain's proposals to reform government communications need more clarity
Kay Hender, head of communications at the FDA union, argues that Lee Cain has identified some of the challenges faced by the Government Communications Service, but his proposed solutions are contradictory and could make things worse
The pain of migraines: one civil servant shares their experience
03 Sep 2021 Health & Social Care
The pain of migraines: one civil servant shares their experience
The condition can be crippling, but what can be done to ease the symptoms? To mark Migraine Awareness Week, Paul Scullion shares his own experiences
Party time: exploring Germany’s system of political civil servants
18 Aug 2021 Foreign Affairs
Party time: exploring Germany’s system of political civil servants
The federal government in Germany has developed a third way between the models of the UK and US civil services, with political control over only the top jobs. Prof. Dr. Werner Jann sheds light on this hybrid system
What next for the UK’s data protection regime?
17 Aug 2021 Digital, Data & Technology
What next for the UK’s data protection regime?
The EU may have granted its former member state adequacy, but there will be many more issues to resolve in the coming years. Sam Trendall explores
Procurement and the pandemic: How CCS rose to the challenge of Covid-19
16 Aug 2021 Commercial
Procurement and the pandemic: How CCS rose to the challenge of Covid-19
The Crown Commercial Service has helped the public sector in its agile response to the coronavirus. Chief executive Simon Tse shares the lessons from the past year
Opinion: Lessons for the government consulting hub
12 Aug 2021 Commercial
Opinion: Lessons for the government consulting hub
The government has confirmed that it plans to go ahead with the creation of a central consultancy hub. How should it work? Iain Greenwood explores the issues
Boots on the ground: the inside story of how the Army helped government’s Covid response Exclusive
11 Aug 2021 Coronavirus
Boots on the ground: the inside story of how the Army helped government’s Covid response
The Army’s role in the UK’s pandemic response placed the force unusually close to the domestic frontline. In this exclusive interview, the head of the Army, Mark Carleton-Smith, shares the lessons of a year like no other with Richard Johnstone
Learning curve: Susan Acland-Hood reflects on a year leading DfE
10 Aug 2021 Education
Learning curve: Susan Acland-Hood reflects on a year leading DfE
Susan Acland-Hood took on her dream job as Department for Education permanent secretary amidst a pandemic and following a national row over A-Levels. Ten months on, she tells Beckie Smith how the department is working to move from a reactive mindset to a long-term one