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
Treasury accused of putting up 'barriers' to public sector pay rises
09 Dec 2021 Economics
Treasury accused of putting up 'barriers' to public sector pay rises
FDA union says that "price stability’" aim means pay restraint will continue
Fears officials will be scapegoats in Downing St party probe
09 Dec 2021 Coronavirus
Fears officials will be scapegoats in Downing St party probe
Civil service unions say ministers must take responsibility for any lockdown rule-breaking
Lack of political leadership was 'fundamental failing' of Afghan crisis, ex-national security adviser says
09 Dec 2021 Security & Defence
Lack of political leadership was 'fundamental failing' of Afghan crisis, ex-national security adviser says
Lord Ricketts says National Security Council could have helped overloaded FCDO, while former Army head calls for perm sec to resign
Wary councils look for Treasury buy-in for PM’s levelling-up devo deals
09 Dec 2021 Economy
Wary councils look for Treasury buy-in for PM’s levelling-up devo deals
As DLUHC delays publication of white paper, local leaders want commitment from Sunak, Institute for Government says
Allegra Stratton resigns after No.10 Christmas party video leak
08 Dec 2021 Communications
Allegra Stratton resigns after No.10 Christmas party video leak
The PM's former spokesperson said she will regret joking about a party during lockdown last year "for the rest of my days"
FCDO chief admits he was wrong to continue holiday as Afghan crisis unfolded
08 Dec 2021 Foreign Affairs
FCDO chief admits he was wrong to continue holiday as Afghan crisis unfolded
But Philip Barton says whistleblower's work-life balance claims about his department are a "misunderstanding"
Cabinet Office ‘must make working from home default’ for civil servants
08 Dec 2021 Coronavirus
Cabinet Office ‘must make working from home default’ for civil servants
Union says emergence of Omicron Covid variant should be point where departments stop lurching from crisis to crisis in pandemic response
On the Case: PM orders civil service head to investigate No.10 Christmas party claims
08 Dec 2021 Coronavirus
On the Case: PM orders civil service head to investigate No.10 Christmas party claims
Boris Johnson also apologised "unreservedly" for a video in which officials joke about a party during Covid lockdown
MPs sound alarm over Home Office’s £1.1bn police IT programme
08 Dec 2021 Digital, Data & Technology
MPs sound alarm over Home Office’s £1.1bn police IT programme
Department’s “miserable record of exorbitantly expensive digital programmes that fail to deliver” continues, says Public Accounts Committee
DLUHC admits to litany of building-safety failings at Grenfell inquiry
08 Dec 2021 Justice & Home Affairs
DLUHC admits to litany of building-safety failings at Grenfell inquiry
But department accuses construction firms and building inspectors of abusing the trust placed in them
'Thousands of emails went unread': FCDO handling of Kabul crisis 'chaotic', whistleblower claims
07 Dec 2021 Digital, Data & Technology
'Thousands of emails went unread': FCDO handling of Kabul crisis 'chaotic', whistleblower claims
"Avoidable problems... significantly undermined the efficacy of our evacuation effort”, ex-civil servant says
Companies that fail to deliver could be banned from winning public contracts
07 Dec 2021 Brexit
Companies that fail to deliver could be banned from winning public contracts
Cabinet Office unveils plans for ‘simpler, clearer and more flexible’ procurement rules
Civil servants ‘hosted Downing Street party’ during Covid lockdown
07 Dec 2021 Coronavirus
Civil servants ‘hosted Downing Street party’ during Covid lockdown
Majority of people attending Christmas party at No.10 last year were officials, according to report
Officials ‘knew about cladding dangers in early 90s’, Grenfell probe hears
07 Dec 2021 Justice & Home Affairs
Officials ‘knew about cladding dangers in early 90s’, Grenfell probe hears
Lawyer says “pattern of suppression and concealment” over successive fire reports aimed to reduce public fears
High Court backs PM’s decision on Patel bullying report
06 Dec 2021 HR
High Court backs PM’s decision on Patel bullying report
But union says ruling on handling of home secretary’s conduct still boosts civil servants’ workplace rights
Latest civil service & public affairs moves – December 6
06 Dec 2021 HR
Latest civil service & public affairs moves – December 6
New appointments in the civil service, UK politics, and public affairs, via our colleagues at Dods People
Ministers mistake cuts for ‘efficiency’, MPs warn
06 Dec 2021 Finance
Ministers mistake cuts for ‘efficiency’, MPs warn
Funding boost for departmental capability and capacity might be needed to save money long term, PAC says
ICO fines Cabinet Office £500k over honours data leak and criticises department’s ‘complacency’
06 Dec 2021 Digital, Data & Technology
ICO fines Cabinet Office £500k over honours data leak and criticises department’s ‘complacency’
Breach saw publication of home addresses of award recipients including Elton John and John Manzoni
Treasury staff numbers will fall after 25% hike, says perm sec
03 Dec 2021 Economy
Treasury staff numbers will fall after 25% hike, says perm sec
MPs hear just 23 officials have so far asked to relocate to new Darlington campus
Anti-fraud checks on Covid loans 'inadequate', watchdog finds
03 Dec 2021 Coronavirus
Anti-fraud checks on Covid loans 'inadequate', watchdog finds
Most measures were introduced "too late" to stop fraud, with focus on prevention
Former GDS chief gets green light to advise McKinsey
03 Dec 2021 Commercial
Former GDS chief gets green light to advise McKinsey
Kevin Cunnington's role at management consultancy will be limited to the Middle East
HMCTS staff could strike over ‘fundamentally flawed’ IT system
03 Dec 2021 Digital, Data & Technology
HMCTS staff could strike over ‘fundamentally flawed’ IT system
Union says consultative ballot of court officials found 96% backing industrial action
PM seeks economics expert to be next private secretary
02 Dec 2021 Economy
PM seeks economics expert to be next private secretary
Economic affairs post involves leading on policy development for business, housing and transport
McVey broke rules over GB News job, Cabinet Office told
02 Dec 2021 HR
McVey broke rules over GB News job, Cabinet Office told
Former work and pensions secretary should have sought Acoba approval for new presenting role, watchdog says