In a world where service users demand ever-higher standards, the public sector must constantly adapt to feed their needs. Stuart Watson reports on a round table that discussed how service design can move forward.

Penny Ciniewicz joined the civil service after a career in theatre. Winnie Agbonlahor learns how her role as chief of the Valuation Office Agency involves choreographing the many players involved in assessing properties

The UK may be emerging from recession, but disadvantaged groups still struggle to find long-term employment. Tim Gibson reports on a round table that considered the issue in detail.

Like many of our cities, the government’s policies on property and construction contain a mishmash of approaches and styles. Colin Marrs names this policy world’s up-and-coming neighbourhoods – and its troubled estates

The PM used to talk a lot about the Big Society, but it was rarely clear exactly what he meant. Joshua Chambers meets Helen Stephenson, who’s been charged with turning his vague aspirations into tangible work programmes

The PM used to talk a lot about the Big Society, but it was rarely clear exactly what he meant. Joshua Chambers meets Helen Stephenson, who’s been charged with turning his vague aspirations into tangible work programmes

The government wants to give ministers more power in Whitehall; others have called for a major review of our civil service. Asking the views of former secretaries of state, Suzannah Brecknell encountered sympathy for both ideas.

As the head of the Office for Fair Access, Professor Les Ebdon is in charge of ensuring universities open their doors to a broader range of applicants. Joshua Chambers meets a surprisingly controversial public servant

A former special schools headteacher explains how child protection rules swing from pole to pole, creating confusion all round

A seasoned postman in a small English town explains why, along with 2013, the years 2006 and 2021 have huge significance for Royal Mail

The creative industries are huge contributors to the UK economy, and the rise of digital media will make them more important still. Winnie Agbonlahor looks at how government can promote growth in this crucial sector

The new Home Office permanent secretary, Mark Sedwill, arrived in Marsham Street soon after having worked in Afghanistan. He tells Joshua Chambers how he’s using his experience to turn the embattled department around.

The civil service must both loyally serve the government of the day, and be ready for an incoming government. Joshua Chambers considers the case for reforming the rules governing civil servants’ links with the Opposition

Economic recovery presents a challenge for public sector talent management, as the cap on salaries makes it hard to recruit and retain talent. Stuart Watson reports on a round table that discussed how to deal with the problem.

A suburban GP explains why he thinks the government has broken the NHS up into clinical commissioning groups

Can the ‘cloud’ really provide for all of the government’s ICT needs? Tim Gibson reports on a round table convened to discuss how – and whether – the Cabinet Office’s ‘Cloud First’ policy could become a reality.

The Supreme Court chief executive Jenny Rowe tells Joshua Chambers how she’s going against the grain on shared services, procurement and civil service reform

Data is increasingly important for the public sector, but trust in public statistics is falling. Hetan Shah, head of the Royal Statistical Society, talks to Suzannah Brecknell about the importance, and the limits, of statistics

It’s not only private businesses such as Amazon that are applying analytics to improve their effectiveness. Winnie Agbonlahor looks at how defence data is being mined for insights that will help shape the future of warfare

Patient records are the lifeblood of the health service. Joshua Chambers examines the analytics techniques that can improve public health and the operation of the NHS – and the sensitivities around privacy and data protection.

Academics at King’s College London think existing procedures for appointing independent policy advisers are too lax, and lead to bad government. Colin Marrs examines their proposals, and gathers the opinions of former tsars.

After a tough few years for social housing, the new Homes & Communities Agency chief Andy Rose tells Matt Ross that with smaller grants and fewer bank loans, his aim is to create a safe and attractive space for private investors.

A former language teacher explains why his idealism turned to disillusion as he learned how today’s school system works

Our sun warms the planet and gives us life, but it also threatens to blitz our IT, communications and power systems. Joshua Chambers investigates the danger of solar storms, and talks to the officials working to counter the risks