To deliver public services through third parties, civil servants need to acquire better commercial skills. Mark Smulian attended a Civil Service World round table discussing how, and where, they should be developed

Efforts to share traditional back office services have been underway for years – but now Whitehall’s specialist units are beginning to sell services such as legal and payment work to their colleagues. Mark Rowe reports.

Most attempts to share services in Whitehall have been pretty disastrous. Joshua Chambers meets Paul Marriner, the man charged with demonstrating that shared services schemes don’t have to be expensive white elephants

In 2010, the Ministry of Justice outsourced its courts translation work – but the contractor struggled, and the system ground to a halt. As the probation outsourcing looms, Joshua Chambers looks at the lessons to be learned.

As governments worldwide wrestle with shrinking budgets, increased volatility and a tide of open data, Matt Ross learns how public service leaders from different countries are meeting the challenges of an ever-changing world

Chief vet Nigel Gibbens wants his colleagues to enjoy a variety of opportunities inside the civil service, but admits the spending climate may mean a fall in numbers. Matthew O’Toole reports

CSW recently brought a group of civil servants together to discuss the use of citizen data in reducing Fraud, Error and Debt (FED). Tim Gibson reports on the debate.

A university official charged with recruiting students tells Will Hazell of his fears that higher fees are cutting student numbers and reducing efficiency.

When John Beddington became the government’s chief scientific adviser, many departments didn’t employ an influential science champion. But now, he tells Colin Marrs, the quality of science is on the rise across Whitehall

From helicopters to hospitals and new offices to the Olympic Park, civil servants are managing some colossal schemes. Joshua Chambers profiles the new training school designed to improve major project leadership

As the Olympics fade from memory, the legacy goals could also slip away – leaving London, like Athens, with a pricey herd of white elephants. Suzannah Brecknell tests the cross-Whitehall effort to reap the Games’ rewards.

The government is committed to reforming programme and project management in the civil service. Tim Gibson reports on a Civil Service World round table that discussed how to ensure that its reform plans meet with success.

The government has now published its permanent secretaries’ objectives, listing the targets against which their performance will be assessed. Joshua Chambers explains how the move is likely to affect Whitehall leaders

After 35 years in Whitehall and five years leading the Government Equalities Office, Jonathan Rees is heading for the exit. Matt Ross learns of his worries about civil service capabilities, ministerial policies and endless reorganisations

As councils take control of public health budgets and staff, the government’s chief medical officer Sally Davies tells Matt Ross why the reforms should enable all kinds of public officials to help take the pressure off the NHS

In a bid to reduce costs, complexity and confusion, the Cabinet Office is launching a new pan-Whitehall ‘protective marking’ system. Stuart Watson listens in at a round table convened to explain and examine the changes

A council’s education expert explains to Philip Bevan the impact of recent reforms to the schools system.

The government says that boosting our high-tech industries is key to getting the country’s economy moving again. But do its deeds match its words? Jess Bowie examines Whitehall’s work to support innovative businesses.

The failure of the Department for Transport to properly let the West Coast Mainline franchise sent shockwaves through the civil service. Joshua Chambers looks at the lessons to be learned – and how the DfT is responding

Katherine Kerswell and Clare Sumner are heading up the tricky task of civil service reform. Joshua Chambers meets the dynamic duo leading the drive to shake up Whitehall’s skills, structures and working practices

As director of the Scotland Office, Alun Evans is in charge of Whitehall’s efforts to keep Scotland in the United Kingdom. Joshua Chambers meets the man coordinating a vast campaign encompassing most departments

Jon Thompson

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence

Jonathan Stephens

Permanent Secretary, Department for Culture, Media and Sport