News

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

Whitehall accountability is focused on blame and governed by convention – but improvements are possible

MPs point to low takeup and inadequate funding and warn ministers do not know whether the anticipated productivity boost will actually happen

David Sterling tells inquiry his workforce cannot be expected to deliver beyond their resources and skills sets as power vacuum continues

2018 "set to be a big year for civil service recruitment" as Brexit preparations increase, says IfG

Majority of magistrate’s and county courts sold since 2010 went to property developers, followed by private owners and local authorities

Watchdog MPs doubt department’s ability to meet £1.7bn savings target from new regulations

PAC chair questions whether Community Rehabilitation Companies in flagship reform will be able to deliver the promised benefits

Report calls for Ministry of Housing to reclaim powers to support rural communities

Officials should seek formal directions when politicians set unrealistic timelines for commissioning, says boss of outsourcing giant

Government urged to review £490m procurement after report the contract could be awarded overseas

Department insists automation drive is employee-led

Kate McGavin and Helen Williams, deputy directors from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, are part-time, ambitious, and happy to share – both their job, and their wisdom on making a success of this increasingly popular way of working

Department forced to check 300,000 claims after tribunal ruling on flaws in employment and support allowance

ONS reveals new profession for analysts and data scientists after being challenged by Sir Jeremy Heywood to become more visible

What do new technologies mean for border security in the UK? A recent CSW round table brought together academics and senior officials to explore the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Mark Rowe reports.

BT's Mike Pannell on the different ways of anonymising information and their application to IoT data​

Government’s shared services lead issues update on progress towards improving substandard back-office digital services in Whitehall

How far are the massive changes brought on by Brexit accelerating the reversal of 1990s decentralisation, and will they usher in a more centralised machinery of government in the long term?

Transition agreement hailed as a breakthrough but IfG warns that issues, including resolving the Irish border, remain

National Cyber Security Centre issues guidance on boosting security amid risk of blackout and data theft from Russian attacks

Jonathan Slater named civil service integrity champion and issues reminders on how to maintain integrity

Report comes as Brexit select committee warns that time is running out to conclude EU exit deal