News

Defence secretary tells RUSI think tank that the latest cross-government defence strategy will be "positive, assertive and quite properly strategic"

MP Louise Haigh replaces Chi Onwurah as shadow Cabinet Office minister for digital 

In our latest instalment of the Looking Across series, in which we ask those outside of Whitehall to give their perspectives on the civil service, Steven Cox talks to Sarah Aston about the Government Digital Service, SMEs and government procurement 

The chief of the FDA union warns that Whitehall will miss out on a significant talent pool if under-represented groups do not believe a leadership role in the civil service is for them

Cabinet secretary Jeremy Heywood unveils new external diversity advisers

MoJ digital services manager Gavin Bell shares insight into government’s digital challenges as he steps down from role for private sector post

Management consultants looking at "operating costs across the department and partner organisations", says business secretary, but none "working directly" on its response to the Spending Review

Latest report by the public accounts committee warns police could bear brunt of "cost shunting" by other departments, but Home Office says it is working on reforms to make the system more "fair, robust and transparent"

Tim Kelsey to step down as NHS England’s national director for patients and information

Major business lobby group sets out stall ahead of government-wide Spending Review – with shared services, digitisation, and payment-by-results top of the agenda

With greater pressure on the public purse, a willingness to embrace new ways of working and a clear imperative to pursue the digital agenda, more and more government departments are turning to Knowledge Hub as a place to share knowledge, learn lessons and collaborate with colleagues and partners

Procuring to meet the aims of a National ‘for Health’ Service could extend and futureproof Bevan’s vision of free healthcare for all, says AECOM

Amber Rudd defends "incredibly important department" as Tory backbencher says merger with Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) being considered

MI5 director general Andrew Parker gives first live interview to "increase understanding" of intelligence agency's work – and suggests social media firms have an "ethical responsibility" to report terror concerns

Workforce shrinks by 8,000 posts – with GovCos and privatisations accounting for much of the change

Director general for civil service reform to take up post as Home Office’s second permanent secretary, with responsibility for immigration and free movement

Robert Chote – reappointed as chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility watchdog – says he is "relaxed" about Treasury suggesting changes to its independent forecasts

Simon McDonald tells MPs it would be "illogical to focus fire on the FCO" in November's Spending Review

Former attorney general – and recent critic of government's human rights plans – elected to lead the Intelligence and Security Committee

When members of the public want to complain about government bodies, it falls to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to investigate. Sarah Aston speaks to the watchdog's newly-appointed non-executive directors Julia Tabreham and Ruth Sawtell about efforts to simplify the system, and change the perception that complaining doesn't make a difference

Lord Macdonald tells File on 4 that policy and legal advice functions will “suffer” amid squeeze on resources – but current director of public prosecutions Alison Saunders praises "dedicated" staff

Opposition's deputy leader named as new shadow minister for the Cabinet Office

Labour's new leader promotes Lucy Powell to shadow education

The latest Open Budget Survey confirms Britain’s commitment to fiscal transparency, writes the LSE’s Dr Joachim Wehner. But the Treasury must go further to enable detailed public scrutiny of departmental spending