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
One year on: The perm sec state of play
04 Jul HR
One year on: The perm sec state of play
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
'We need to bang the drum for sufficient investment': The 'radical and ambitious principles' behind the ONS's Data Strategy
03 Apr 2024 Digital, Data & Technology
'We need to bang the drum for sufficient investment': The 'radical and ambitious principles' behind the ONS's Data Strategy
Following the release of a major new data strategy, Office for National Statistics chief data officer Fiona James talks about the power of linking information, and why departments must build data into spending review plans
'What does it take to do my job well? A curious, analytical mindset': DBT's Ben Cropper on challenging perceptions and crossing disciplinary barriers
02 Apr 2024 Analysis
'What does it take to do my job well? A curious, analytical mindset': DBT's Ben Cropper on challenging perceptions and crossing disciplinary barriers
CSW meets Ben Cropper, director of analysis and chief economist at the Department for Business and Trade
'We are all digital leaders in government': Cat Little on productivity, AI and the next spending review
02 Apr 2024 Digital, Data & Technology
'We are all digital leaders in government': Cat Little on productivity, AI and the next spending review
As part of our series of conversations between high-profile government figures, Cat Little – who today takes over at the helm of the Cabinet Office – discusses leadership, AI and how to deliver better services with Megan Lee Devlin
Productivity puzzle corner: The Efficiency Wars redux
28 Mar 2024 Economics
Productivity puzzle corner: The Efficiency Wars redux
In a new series of articles, Professor Colin Talbot will explore public sector productivity in the UK. This issue is increasingly on the agenda of both main contenders as they vie to form the next government and is something that will likely occupy civil servants whoever wins
'What keeps you awake at night?': A guide to the government risk management profession
26 Mar 2024
'What keeps you awake at night?': A guide to the government risk management profession
In this ongoing series, CSW provides a guide to professions and functions across the civil service. Here we offer a glimpse at risk management professionals do, and how they work with other parts of government
Looking to combine a civil service career with further study? Here's what you should consider
22 Mar 2024 HR
Looking to combine a civil service career with further study? Here's what you should consider
Higher education courses are almost always enriching and valuable, but what if you want to work in the civil service at the same time?
Delving under the surface – how government can save billions by tackling fraud and error
21 Mar 2024 Commercial
Delving under the surface – how government can save billions by tackling fraud and error
The National Audit Office is increasingly focusing on how government is tackling fraud and error and, as the NAO's director of fraud and propriety Joshua Reddaway argues, billions could be saved by getting this right
'What I won’t miss? The rate of change we’ve experienced': Alex Chisholm on his time as civil service COO
20 Mar 2024 Civil Service Reform
'What I won’t miss? The rate of change we’ve experienced': Alex Chisholm on his time as civil service COO
Looking back over four years as chief operating officer, Alex Chisholm shares what he’s proud of achieving, what he regrets, and what he will miss most about the job
Read the spring 2024 issue of Civil Service World
19 Mar 2024 HR
Read the spring 2024 issue of Civil Service World
Perm secs reflect on the first year of DSIT, DBT and DESNZ, plus a defence special focus
The Wizard from Oz: Dan Labbad on leading the Crown Estate
18 Mar 2024 Property & Estates
The Wizard from Oz: Dan Labbad on leading the Crown Estate
The Crown Estate is one of the UK’s oldest institutions and contributes hundreds of millions of pounds a year to the national coffers. Its Australian chief executive Dan Labbad talks about running this unique organisation – and why his daughter is his inspiration
Defra’s experience shows the problems in making Brexit work
14 Mar 2024 Energy & Environment
Defra’s experience shows the problems in making Brexit work
The department is struggling to make sense of its post-Brexit responsibilities and freedoms
From tackling churn to prioritisation: the power of using operational research skills in everyday decision-making
14 Mar 2024 HR
From tackling churn to prioritisation: the power of using operational research skills in everyday decision-making
Putting operational research into practice in all aspects of life can have a big impact - DfT official Robyn Smith shares how
VIDEO: HMRC's counter fraud chief Richard Las on the changing nature of economic crime
13 Mar 2024 Economy
VIDEO: HMRC's counter fraud chief Richard Las on the changing nature of economic crime
To mark the launch of CSW's Counter Fraud Zone, we speak exclusively to Richard Las, director of HMRC's Fraud Investigation Service
Can government change its culture of short-termism? Bernard Jenkin on barriers to strategic thinking and promising signs
12 Mar 2024
Can government change its culture of short-termism? Bernard Jenkin on barriers to strategic thinking and promising signs
Sir Bernard Jenkin speaks to Suzannah Brecknell about how governments can, and must, up their game when it comes to strategic thinking
David Halpern on the Budget: Could evidence-based policy be key to improving public sector productivity?
12 Mar 2024 Civil Service Reform
David Halpern on the Budget: Could evidence-based policy be key to improving public sector productivity?
The path to improving public sector productivity is not a quick fix but it can be done
'Very worrying': Interest in the Civil Service Fast Stream plummets Exclusive
12 Mar 2024 HR
'Very worrying': Interest in the Civil Service Fast Stream plummets
As Civil Service Fast Stream applications fall dramatically for a second year, experts weigh in on the "worrying" trend
'The civil service is now a place where women can progress': CSW speaks to female senior officials working outside London
08 Mar 2024 Civil Service Reform
'The civil service is now a place where women can progress': CSW speaks to female senior officials working outside London
For International Women's Day, CSW talks to female civil servants about the improvements they have seen in gender equality in the civil service, where progress is still needed and how Places for Growth has helped
'We don’t have to do things the same way other organisations have done them': Building the UK Infrastructure Bank
29 Feb 2024 Finance
'We don’t have to do things the same way other organisations have done them': Building the UK Infrastructure Bank
The Treasury-backed UKIB, launched in 2021, aims to advance both net-zero and levelling up ambitions. Here, some of its leaders talk about the challenge of doing something new and blending the best of the public and private sectors
Many digital transformation strategies cover similar ground. It’s the implementation that's the hard part
28 Feb 2024 Digital, Data & Technology
Many digital transformation strategies cover similar ground. It’s the implementation that's the hard part
As the NAO publishes its new guide to digital transformation in government, its director, digital insights shares some of the questions it poses for senior leaders
Don’t start with a solution in mind: What I learnt as a government strategist
22 Feb 2024 Communications
Don’t start with a solution in mind: What I learnt as a government strategist
A former strategist explains why research, relationships and a knack for knowing what people really want are key to a successful communications career
Book review: Be a Better Boss – don’t be put off by the initial biographical details
15 Feb 2024 Leadership
Book review: Be a Better Boss – don’t be put off by the initial biographical details
This overview of a progressive corporate culture offers some interesting lessons for those leading public sector organisations too, writes Sir Bernard Jenkin
Mind of your own: How can departments help neurodivergent staff thrive?
14 Feb 2024 HR
Mind of your own: How can departments help neurodivergent staff thrive?
How can the civil service set up the conditions in which neurodivergent staff can flourish, and deliver their best for citizens? Tim Gibson seeks expert insight
We need a constitutional reset but a pick 'n' mix of ideas is not the answer
12 Feb 2024 Civil Service Reform
We need a constitutional reset but a pick 'n' mix of ideas is not the answer
With a cast of heavy-hitters, the UK Governance Project has some good ideas, says Dave Penman, but forget a Royal Commission: ministers need practical suggestions if we are to make real change
Does the civil service really have a growing problem with long-term sickness?
12 Feb 2024 HR
Does the civil service really have a growing problem with long-term sickness?
Some departments are making progress, but the annual number of days lost is up by 23.6% over eight years