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
DSIT made up of 800 DCMS staffers and 935 from BEIS
08 Jun 2023 Digital, Data & Technology
DSIT made up of 800 DCMS staffers and 935 from BEIS
Newly created Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is still working on employee transfers, minister reveals
Maude calls for beefed up Civil Service Commission and cab sec changes
08 Jun 2023 Civil Service Reform
Maude calls for beefed up Civil Service Commission and cab sec changes
Measures are key to ending Whitehall’s failure to deliver reform, former Cabinet Office minister tells peers
‘Lost decade’ for disadvantaged pupils if DfE does not act faster, MPs warn
08 Jun 2023 Education
‘Lost decade’ for disadvantaged pupils if DfE does not act faster, MPs warn
PAC raises alarm at estimate it may take 10 years for education attainment gap to return to pre-Covid levels
Four departments launch £1bn tender for shared services tech providers
07 Jun 2023 Civil Service Reform
Four departments launch £1bn tender for shared services tech providers
DWP, Home Office, MoJ and Defra seek joint deal with software provider and system integrator to build common operating model
Information commissioner warns against ‘unhealthy’ government FOI exemptions
07 Jun 2023 Security & Defence
Information commissioner warns against ‘unhealthy’ government FOI exemptions
Regulator also highlights risk of criminal sanctions for failing to maintain public record
Union slams 'grossly unfair' exclusion of prison officers from cost-of-living payment
07 Jun 2023 HR
Union slams 'grossly unfair' exclusion of prison officers from cost-of-living payment
Government only class prison staff as civil servants 'when it suits them', Prison Officers' Association says
MoD begins work on IT system to register and track evacuees from crisis zones
06 Jun 2023 Security & Defence
MoD begins work on IT system to register and track evacuees from crisis zones
Ministry reveals it has begun work on concept phase of potential software tool to manage information on 10,000 people
Strikes to go ahead despite offer of £1,500 cost-of-living payment
06 Jun 2023 HR
Strikes to go ahead despite offer of £1,500 cost-of-living payment
PCS to consider offer as civil service bosses say they hope lump sum will bring walkouts 'to an end'
EXCL: Efficiency review finds higher savings target ‘not realistic’ as inflation bites
06 Jun 2023 Civil Service Reform
EXCL: Efficiency review finds higher savings target ‘not realistic’ as inflation bites
Alex Chisholm says he is “confident” departments will meet 5% target, despite inflation pressures and demands from new government
WhatsApp used for coffee orders not key Covid decisions, former minister says
05 Jun 2023 Communications
WhatsApp used for coffee orders not key Covid decisions, former minister says
Lord Bethell says big decisions were not taken via the messaging service during the pandemic
Civil servants offered £1,500 cost-of-living payment to break strikes deadlock
02 Jun 2023 HR
Civil servants offered £1,500 cost-of-living payment to break strikes deadlock
Lump sum offered “in recognition of the pressures” faced by officials last year, Cabinet Office says
Cabinet Office launches legal action over Boris Johnson WhatsApps
02 Jun 2023 Communications
Cabinet Office launches legal action over Boris Johnson WhatsApps
"Important issues of principal at stake," department says
Civil service must stop ‘accepting outdated technologies’
02 Jun 2023 Digital, Data & Technology
Civil service must stop ‘accepting outdated technologies’
Former HMPPS leader Jo Farrar says SCS must take on responsibility for using digital to drive outcomes
Covid Inquiry: Lawyers flag ‘missing year’ in Johnson’s WhatsApp submissions
02 Jun 2023 Communications
Covid Inquiry: Lawyers flag ‘missing year’ in Johnson’s WhatsApp submissions
Ex-PM has provided no phone messages from before May 2021, despite “full disclosure” claims
Covid Inquiry: Boris Johnson hands WhatsApps and notes to Cabinet Office
01 Jun 2023 Communications
Covid Inquiry: Boris Johnson hands WhatsApps and notes to Cabinet Office
Row heats up as Cabinet Office refuses to share records it believes are "irrelevant" to public inquiry
DfT swerves call for DVLA strategic review
01 Jun 2023 Digital, Data & Technology
DfT swerves call for DVLA strategic review
Department refuses to commit to scope and timescale proposed by Public Accounts Committee
PCS 'rules nothing out' amid Home Office staff concern over asylum policy
31 May 2023 HR
PCS 'rules nothing out' amid Home Office staff concern over asylum policy
PCS official says industrial solution could be sought to "look after welfare" of civil servants if Rwanda deal litigation fails
MoJ reprimanded after ‘bags of confidential documents’ exposed for over two weeks
31 May 2023 Digital, Data & Technology
MoJ reprimanded after ‘bags of confidential documents’ exposed for over two weeks
Sensitive data was left unsecured in prison holding area, according to data watchdog
‘It appals me’: ex-GCHQ director condemns government WhatsApp use
31 May 2023 Communications
‘It appals me’: ex-GCHQ director condemns government WhatsApp use
David Omand says informal comms should not be used to discuss important government information
No.10 approach to standards has 'shifted' post-Johnson, watchdog says
30 May 2023 HR
No.10 approach to standards has 'shifted' post-Johnson, watchdog says
Jonathan Evans says Sunak took right approach to Braverman allegations and was “quick” to act over Zahawi tax affair
Unions win right to challenge High Court pensions decision
30 May 2023 HR
Unions win right to challenge High Court pensions decision
Move could result in lower Civil Service Pension Scheme contributions following McCloud judgment
Unions pause strike plans after breakthrough offer of 'meaningful talks'
26 May 2023 HR
Unions pause strike plans after breakthrough offer of 'meaningful talks'
FDA pauses industrial action ballot and Prospect cancels planned all-out strike next month
Drive to create ‘great’ government services will measure usability and efficiency
26 May 2023 Digital, Data & Technology
Drive to create ‘great’ government services will measure usability and efficiency
Head of CDDO reveals metrics used to assess critical services
Civil service’s biggest union wants Long Covid classed as a disability
26 May 2023 HR
Civil service’s biggest union wants Long Covid classed as a disability
PCS conference hears departmental managers have “blasé attitude” to crippling condition suffered by millions