Ministerial directions and a 'powerful' board: Think tank's 'draft bill' sets out vision for statutory civil service
13 May Civil Service Reform

Ministerial directions and a 'powerful' board: Think tank's 'draft bill' sets out vision for statutory civil service

Cab sec would have responsibility for appointment and performance management of perm secs under IfG proposals
by Tevye Markson
Departments have underestimated threat posed by cyberattacks, MPs warn
13 May Security & Defence
Departments have underestimated threat posed by cyberattacks, MPs warn
Fact checker defends ex-perm sec over pension-reform claims
13 May Communications
Fact checker defends ex-perm sec over pension-reform claims
Call for 'bold investment decisions' to address prison crisis
12 May Justice & Home Affairs
Call for 'bold investment decisions' to address prison crisis
New financial deal agreed with the Scottish Government
04 Aug 2023 Finance
New financial deal agreed with the Scottish Government
The Scottish Government will be able to borrow more under the deal
Civil service resignation rate rising as unions blame 'broken' pay system
04 Aug 2023 HR
Civil service resignation rate rising as unions blame 'broken' pay system
Unions blame "plummeting" pay and pay system "broken beyond repair"
Climate change dropped from government risk register
04 Aug 2023 Security & Defence
Climate change dropped from government risk register
The first overhaul of the UK’s risk register since 2020 marks a significant departure from the previous approach to anticipating future threats
'I would never seek to influence the civil service on independence' – Scottish independence minister hits back
03 Aug 2023 Local & Devolved
'I would never seek to influence the civil service on independence' – Scottish independence minister hits back
Minister rejects claims of 'irresponsible' use of civil service resources
First ever female appointed to lead Government Actuary's Department
03 Aug 2023 HR
First ever female appointed to lead Government Actuary's Department
Fiona Dunsire makes history by becoming first woman to be government’s top pensions adviser
Civil Service Commission seeks four new commissioners
03 Aug 2023 HR
Civil Service Commission seeks four new commissioners
Recruitment watchdog is particularly keen to hear from candidates with expertise in Wales and local government
One Login expected to cost £305m – and deliver £1.75bn benefits
02 Aug 2023 Digital, Data & Technology
One Login expected to cost £305m – and deliver £1.75bn benefits
Annual study from Infrastructure and Projects Authority paints positive picture of programme that ‘continued to deliver at pace, successfully meeting its major planned milestones’
Civil service grows again as diversity indicators hit record highs
02 Aug 2023 Civil Service Reform
Civil service grows again as diversity indicators hit record highs
Latest civil service statistics see big increase in proportion of officials with a declared disability, alongside upticks in other diversity metrics
'We viewed that as the start': Union leaders call for pay reform
02 Aug 2023 HR
'We viewed that as the start': Union leaders call for pay reform
FDA and Prospect general secretaries request meeting with minister for the Cabinet Office Jeremy Quin to discuss “broken” pay system which is hindering reform across civil service
Rishi Sunak backs probe into Scottish Government’s independence spending
01 Aug 2023 Politics & Constitution
Rishi Sunak backs probe into Scottish Government’s independence spending
Prime minister says 'it's right' for cabinet secretary to look into the role of officials supporting independence minister as new guidance expected within weeks
Perm secs could face duty to plan office moves better
01 Aug 2023 HR
Perm secs could face duty to plan office moves better
MPs call for guidance requiring departmental leaders to properly explore all options before signing off on major schemes
DHSC cuts core headcount by 16.5% in nine months
01 Aug 2023 Health & Social Care
DHSC cuts core headcount by 16.5% in nine months
Rees-Mogg lauds health secretary for “leading by example” in shrinking the size of the civil service
Cabinet Office preps plan for £50m project to update IT and switch from Google to Microsoft
31 Jul 2023 Digital, Data & Technology
Cabinet Office preps plan for £50m project to update IT and switch from Google to Microsoft
Data released as part of annual assessment of the Government Major Projects Portfolio reveals that department is nearing the end of the discovery phase for a landmark tech refresh programme
Treasury publishes new efficiency guidance for civil servants
31 Jul 2023 Civil Service Reform
Treasury publishes new efficiency guidance for civil servants
Institute for Government praises “more sophisticated approach”
UK ‘faces ban’ on diverting ODA towards domestic asylum-seeker costs
31 Jul 2023 Foreign Affairs
UK ‘faces ban’ on diverting ODA towards domestic asylum-seeker costs
OECD says government’s new Illegal Migration Act could undermine controversial practice, according to reports
MPs demand cross-departmental review of ‘incoherent’ approach to food policy
28 Jul 2023 Economy
MPs demand cross-departmental review of ‘incoherent’ approach to food policy
Report calls on Cabinet Office to take action amid supply fears, cost-of-living concerns and obesity crisis
HMRC watchdog names new chief
28 Jul 2023 Finance
HMRC watchdog names new chief
Mike McMahon will take helm at Adjudicator’s Office from September
Cabinet Office reforms 'sensible but missed trick', think tank says
28 Jul 2023 Civil Service Reform
Cabinet Office reforms 'sensible but missed trick', think tank says
Institute for Government warns of lost opportunities and concludes Simon Case's "curse" concerns have come true
Union threatens CAA with industrial action over 5% pay offer
28 Jul 2023 HR
Union threatens CAA with industrial action over 5% pay offer
Prospect says sub-par proposal will worsen recruitment and retention problems at regulator
Government Major Projects Portfolio grows for third year running
27 Jul 2023 Economy
Government Major Projects Portfolio grows for third year running
Red-rated schemes reduce as overall number of projects increases
Cabinet Office accused of ‘vagueness’ and ‘boosterism’ on civil service jobs relocations
27 Jul 2023 Civil Service Reform
Cabinet Office accused of ‘vagueness’ and ‘boosterism’ on civil service jobs relocations
Plans for new hubs should be placed under review until there is clarity on remote-working rules and headcount reductions, MPs say
MoD recruitment curb to last 18 months and cut headcount by up to 3,000
27 Jul 2023 Security & Defence
MoD recruitment curb to last 18 months and cut headcount by up to 3,000
Minister confirms plan to leave civil service roles unfilled to fund armed forces pay increases
Review aims to put DVLA on road to success
26 Jul 2023 Civil Service Reform
Review aims to put DVLA on road to success
Independent review, which comes after PAC criticisms of DVLA and DfT, is part of wider programme looking into effectiveness and efficiency of public bodies
‘Wholly unconvincing’: PACAC chair slams ministers' decision to block release of outcome delivery plans
26 Jul 2023 Civil Service Reform
‘Wholly unconvincing’: PACAC chair slams ministers' decision to block release of outcome delivery plans
William Wragg says “disappointing” choice will reduce ability of parliament and public to scrutinise departments’ plans