News

Former Cabinet Office perm sec joins top Department for Education official Chris Wormald at hearing on the charity's collapse – and reveals he considered earlier ministerial direction over grant to the organisation

With the ‘low-hanging fruit’ exhausted, the public sector must approach new government saving targets with a radically different attitude, says AECOM

Report by Business in the Community says Social Value Act has had some impact in improving lot of low-paid staff – but backs tougher approach with agencies

National Audit Office asked by MPs to check whether Spending Review cuts are taking account of the environment

Public Accounts Committee says it is surprised DfE "did not take a stronger leadership role" in support for care leavers amid "disappointing service provision"

The Equality and Human Rights Commission today launches ‘Is Britain Fairer?’, a comprehensive assessment of Britain’s progress on equality and human rights in the last five years. But, as the EHRC's Verena Brähler writes, a lack of data is preventing public sector bodies from getting the full picture – and could be leaving some groups invisible

Equalities and Human Rights Commission warns that gaps in public data are leaving marginalised groups – including transgender people, gypsies and travellers, and bullied children – under the radar

Top official at the business department says plan to subsidise apprenticeship wages could set an "unhelpful precedent" – and seeks the fourth ministerial direction of the parliament

Inquiry chairman tells David Cameron it "should be possible to agree a date for publication in June or July 2016"

Shaun Kingsbury tells the Environmental Audit Committee that time is right to hand coalition-era bank to the private sector – but E3G warns against “rushed privatisation”

Senior Tory backbencher joins former Treasury solicitor Sir Paul Jenkins in questioning removal of reference to international law

DWP perm sec heaps praise on the department's operations team for finding efficiencies, while acknowledging staff can't "just pedal faster forever"

DVSA in the market for new in-house digital staff after similar move by the DVLA to bring IT back home

Ministers vow to "sort out the relationship between the Commons and the Lords" after government forced into tax credits rethink

Labour asks the NAO to look into Just Solutions International

Dods Research finds LSE best-perceived among officials, while some civil servants call for better access to academic studies

Minister for the Cabinet Office Matt Hancock says reforming public servants who are "encumbered by regulatory barriers" need to speak out

BT's Ian Dalton shares his insights on the role that SMEs can play in transforming public services

Official who raised value for money concerns over further funding for the charity to face questions from the Public Accounts Committee

Cabinet Office says amended ministerial code continues to account for international conduct – but Sir Paul Jenkins warns of "contempt for the rule of international law"

Civil service chief executive John Manzoni says move will help Whitehall become "more talented, diverse and effective"

Consultancy to advise HMRC on end of the decade-long IT deal

Foreign Affairs Committee says FCO failing to prioritise human rights as resources are squeezed

Many of the world’s most famous government officials never actually existed. As the legendary crown servant James Bond returns to our screens in Spectre, we profile some more made-up mandarins – and invite you to vote for your favourite. Illustrations by John Levers