DWP annnounces 60% in-office rule across all grades from September
09 May HR

DWP annnounces 60% in-office rule across all grades from September

PCS says the decision is "a backward step" and that trusting staff to work from home "has been shown to improve productivity"
by Tevye Markson
Sir Ian Diamond steps down as UK’s national statistician
09 May HR
Sir Ian Diamond steps down as UK’s national statistician
Union anger as ex-cabinet minister accuses officials of being Putin-appeasers
09 May Foreign Affairs
Union anger as ex-cabinet minister accuses officials of being Putin-appeasers
Agentic AI ‘could boost government productivity by 20-30%’, former lead NED says
09 May Digital, Data & Technology
Agentic AI ‘could boost government productivity by 20-30%’, former lead NED says
Cabinet Office urged to address 'lack of visible diversity' on standards watchdog
23 Aug 2021 HR
Cabinet Office urged to address 'lack of visible diversity' on standards watchdog
‘Due weight’ must be given to diversity in appointments, chair says
MP says former department wasn’t ‘full of brightest and best’
23 Aug 2021 HR
MP says former department wasn’t ‘full of brightest and best’
Ex-Northern Ireland minister calls for more staff crossover between centre of government and smaller ministries
Dominic Raab ‘could face sack’ over Afghanistan crisis call
20 Aug 2021 Security & Defence
Dominic Raab ‘could face sack’ over Afghanistan crisis call
Pressure mounts on foreign secretary as departmental perm secs take flak for being on holiday at time of crisis
Highways England gets 'bizarre' rebrand and new chief exec
20 Aug 2021 Transport
Highways England gets 'bizarre' rebrand and new chief exec
National Highways “not national in the sense that it doesn't cover the nations of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland”, says AA
DHSC to pay up to £125k for six-month post after test and trace comms chief moves to royal household
20 Aug 2021 Communications
DHSC to pay up to £125k for six-month post after test and trace comms chief moves to royal household
Contract to fill “prominent and politically sensitive role” awarded without competitive tender
Lansley laments loss of policy skills in civil service
20 Aug 2021 Health & Social Care
Lansley laments loss of policy skills in civil service
But former health secretary says officials are more interested in control than improving outcomes for service users
Afghan crisis ‘entirely predictable’, ex-national security adviser says
19 Aug 2021 Security & Defence
Afghan crisis ‘entirely predictable’, ex-national security adviser says
Military veteran MP condemns “shameful” response as Raab draws fire for failing to cut short Mediterranean holiday
Work completed on two remote-work hubs in Northern Ireland
19 Aug 2021 HR
Work completed on two remote-work hubs in Northern Ireland
Ballykelly and Downpatrick offices are first of 10 hubs to support flexible working for civil servants
DBS checks delayed as Covid and gig economy surge 'tested ability' to hit targets
18 Aug 2021 Digital, Data & Technology
DBS checks delayed as Covid and gig economy surge 'tested ability' to hit targets
Staff working from home, social distancing and sickness all contributed to increased processing times
DVSA looks to ramp up driving examiner numbers amid trucker shortage
18 Aug 2021 HR
DVSA looks to ramp up driving examiner numbers amid trucker shortage
Lorry driver shortage prompts hunt for 40 additional testers across England and Wales
HMRC names new DG for customer strategy and tax design
17 Aug 2021 Economy
HMRC names new DG for customer strategy and tax design
Deputy national statistician Jonathan Athow will take over from Ruth Stainer from October
Home Office offers up to £130k for next HR chief
17 Aug 2021 HR
Home Office offers up to £130k for next HR chief
Chief people officer should provide "pragmatic, calm and collaborative leadership"
Home Office ‘to keep Afghan refugee policy under review’ as government responds to Taliban takeover
17 Aug 2021 Foreign Affairs
Home Office ‘to keep Afghan refugee policy under review’ as government responds to Taliban takeover
Scope of resettlement to be considered ‘based on capacity for support’, the department says
Gove admits pay cut call for civil service remote workers was ‘unhelpful’
17 Aug 2021 HR
Gove admits pay cut call for civil service remote workers was ‘unhelpful’
But Cabinet Office minister insists there are “clear productivity advantages” to office-based work
UK ambassador to Afghanistan remains in Kabul processing asylum claims as Taliban takes capital
16 Aug 2021 Security & Defence
UK ambassador to Afghanistan remains in Kabul processing asylum claims as Taliban takes capital
Sir Laurie Bristow reported to be personally handling claims from Afghan interpreters at Kabul airport as defence secretary warns some people would ‘not get back’
Departments launch £4m competition to explore running broadband through water pipes
16 Aug 2021 Digital, Data & Technology
Departments launch £4m competition to explore running broadband through water pipes
Aim of funding mechanism is to speed up the rollout of fibre cables
Latest civil service & public affairs moves – August 16
16 Aug 2021 HR
Latest civil service & public affairs moves – August 16
New appointments in the civil service, UK politics, and public affairs, via our colleagues at Dods People
Defra seeks project managers for new Northern Ireland Directorate
16 Aug 2021 Brexit
Defra seeks project managers for new Northern Ireland Directorate
Hiring drive offers up to £71k for staff to work on implementation of the post-Brexit Northern Ireland protocol
Home Office looks into proposals for physical status documents for EU citizens
16 Aug 2021 Digital, Data & Technology
Home Office looks into proposals for physical status documents for EU citizens
Officials meet with campaigners despite long-term opposition to hard-copy documents
Scottish Government offers up to £180k for next perm sec
13 Aug 2021 HR
Scottish Government offers up to £180k for next perm sec
Campaign seeks applicants who can “build trusted relationships” with ministers and lead change in a “complex environment”
Plans to cut civil service headcount ‘risk repeating Maude-era mistakes’
13 Aug 2021 Finance
Plans to cut civil service headcount ‘risk repeating Maude-era mistakes’
Union says retaining expertise and capacity in departments is “essential” to meet looming challenges
Goldmanfinger: Ex-spymaster Alex Younger joins investment bank
13 Aug 2021 Security & Defence
Goldmanfinger: Ex-spymaster Alex Younger joins investment bank
Former Secret Intelligence Service boss will advise Goldman Sachs and its clients on geopolitics, international risk and cyber-related issues
Labour warns moving civil service jobs won’t level up the nation
12 Aug 2021 Civil Service Reform
Labour warns moving civil service jobs won’t level up the nation
Shadow cabinet member Lisa Nandy says ministers need to invest in boosting local opportunities
MoJ offers 9.9% three-year pay deal in return for overtime cuts and standard hours
12 Aug 2021 HR
MoJ offers 9.9% three-year pay deal in return for overtime cuts and standard hours
The proposed pay rise comes as part of an overhaul of terms and conditions