News

NOMS chief executive Michael Spurr to lead new HM Prison and Probation Service, which goes live from April 1

Newly-released interviews by the Institute for Government offer a fascinating insight into politicians’ views of the Whitehall machine. They ain’t all that flattering, finds Suzannah Brecknell...

Some staff are still uncertain about joining the GCO, Institute for Government researchers find, though the reforms to improve commercial capability are already making an impact

Education department picks former Number 10 Delivery Unit chief to lead competition-focused new universities regulator

Ex-first civil service commissioner Sir David Normington calls for new guidance on the relationship between civil servants, ministers and special advisers, as he urges the prime minister and cabinet secretary to make a public statement on the need for impartial officials

CS Healthcare takes a look at how the 35-55 demographic can learn from the mistakes of their elders by taking steps to ensure good health

MPs quiz three departmental chiefs on the role of special advisers – and the impact of briefings against civil servants

Later this year, ownership of much of the government estate will be passed to a new Government Property Agency – with departments charged market-level rent for their offices in a bid to drive down costs. Mark Leftly listens in as the GPA's top team explains why the new approach to the government's estate is about more than just saving money

Reform think tank calls for rethink on civil service management style as it predicts more than 130,000 administrative-level civil service jobs could be automated in the next ten years

DfID's first Conservative secretary of state warns of "unprecedented attack from elements of the media" on the department's work to help the world's poorest

Automation will need to be handled with sensitivity by managers – but any upgrade in public services must start with the workforce, argues Alexander Hitchcock of the Reform think tank

New appointments in the civil service, UK politics, and public affairs, via our colleagues on Dods People

Whitehall insider-turned-academic Richard Mottram says EU referendum and its aftermath underscores the uphill struggle of speaking truth to power

FDA general secretary Dave Penman questions why proposals will allow open selection processes to be ditched

Walport will serve as sole accounting officer for the powerful new research funding umbrella body

The UK’s former ambassador to the EU warns MPs of a “diminution of Whitehall attention” on ongoing EU policy matters as the pressures of planning for Brexit rise

International trade secretary pushes back against Lord O'Donnell and Sir Andrew Cahn's House mag and CSW comments on the work of his new ministry

First Civil Service Commissioner Ian Watmore tells CSW that departments will now be able to bring in senior staff for up to three years and on a maximum salary of £142,000 without having to go through an open recruitment process

£115,000-a-year up for grabs as department seeks permanent CDO

Praise for outgoing Rural Payments Agency chief after troubled period, as Defra announces that Paul Caldwell is stepping up to serve as interim CEO

Former Foreign Office permanent secretary attacks Theresa May's "rushed" invitation to the new US president

FDA and Prospect argue enhanced salaries but thin pension offer for staff in the new Government Commercial Organisation will deter civil service interest and fail to attract real private sector talent

Single Source Regulations Office seeks greater oversight of contracts for non-competitive military goods

Caroline Nokes says savings from estate programme will be used to fund recruitment of frontline advisers, but MPs, including Tory backbenchers, raise concerns over access for claimants