EXCL: Efficiency review finds higher savings target ‘not realistic’ as inflation bites
06 Jun Civil Service Reform

EXCL: Efficiency review finds higher savings target ‘not realistic’ as inflation bites

Alex Chisholm says he is “confident” departments will meet 5% target, despite inflation pressures and demands from new government
by Tevye Markson
Four departments launch £1bn tender for shared services tech providers
07 Jun Civil Service Reform
Four departments launch £1bn tender for shared services tech providers
Information commissioner warns against ‘unhealthy’ government FOI exemptions
07 Jun Security & Defence
Information commissioner warns against ‘unhealthy’ government FOI exemptions
Union slams 'grossly unfair' exclusion of prison officers from cost-of-living payment
07 Jun HR
Union slams 'grossly unfair' exclusion of prison officers from cost-of-living payment
MoD begins work on IT system to register and track evacuees from crisis zones
06 Jun Security & Defence
MoD begins work on IT system to register and track evacuees from crisis zones
Ministry reveals it has begun work on concept phase of potential software tool to manage information on 10,000 people
Strikes to go ahead despite offer of £1,500 cost-of-living payment
06 Jun HR
Strikes to go ahead despite offer of £1,500 cost-of-living payment
PCS to consider offer as civil service bosses say they hope lump sum will bring walkouts 'to an end'
WhatsApp used for coffee orders not key Covid decisions, former minister says
05 Jun Communications
WhatsApp used for coffee orders not key Covid decisions, former minister says
Lord Bethell says big decisions were not taken via the messaging service during the pandemic
Civil servants offered £1,500 cost-of-living payment to break strikes deadlock
02 Jun HR
Civil servants offered £1,500 cost-of-living payment to break strikes deadlock
Lump sum offered “in recognition of the pressures” faced by officials last year, Cabinet Office says
Cabinet Office launches legal action over Boris Johnson WhatsApps
02 Jun Communications
Cabinet Office launches legal action over Boris Johnson WhatsApps
"Important issues of principal at stake," department says
Civil service must stop ‘accepting outdated technologies’
02 Jun Digital, Data & Technology
Civil service must stop ‘accepting outdated technologies’
Former HMPPS leader Jo Farrar says SCS must take on responsibility for using digital to drive outcomes
Covid Inquiry: Lawyers flag ‘missing year’ in Johnson’s WhatsApp submissions
02 Jun Communications
Covid Inquiry: Lawyers flag ‘missing year’ in Johnson’s WhatsApp submissions
Ex-PM has provided no phone messages from before May 2021, despite “full disclosure” claims
Covid Inquiry: Boris Johnson hands WhatsApps and notes to Cabinet Office
01 Jun Communications
Covid Inquiry: Boris Johnson hands WhatsApps and notes to Cabinet Office
Row heats up as Cabinet Office refuses to share records it believes are "irrelevant" to public inquiry
DHSC creates ‘second’ comms director role
01 Jun Communications
DHSC creates ‘second’ comms director role
Recruitment campaign offers up to £120k for successful applicant
DfT swerves call for DVLA strategic review
01 Jun Digital, Data & Technology
DfT swerves call for DVLA strategic review
Department refuses to commit to scope and timescale proposed by Public Accounts Committee
PCS 'rules nothing out' amid Home Office staff concern over asylum policy
31 May HR
PCS 'rules nothing out' amid Home Office staff concern over asylum policy
PCS official says industrial solution could be sought to "look after welfare" of civil servants if Rwanda deal litigation fails
MoJ reprimanded after ‘bags of confidential documents’ exposed for over two weeks
31 May Digital, Data & Technology
MoJ reprimanded after ‘bags of confidential documents’ exposed for over two weeks
Sensitive data was left unsecured in prison holding area, according to data watchdog
‘It appals me’: ex-GCHQ director condemns government WhatsApp use
31 May Communications
‘It appals me’: ex-GCHQ director condemns government WhatsApp use
David Omand says informal comms should not be used to discuss important government information
No.10 approach to standards has 'shifted' post-Johnson, watchdog says
30 May HR
No.10 approach to standards has 'shifted' post-Johnson, watchdog says
Jonathan Evans says Sunak took right approach to Braverman allegations and was “quick” to act over Zahawi tax affair
Unions win right to challenge High Court pensions decision
30 May HR
Unions win right to challenge High Court pensions decision
Move could result in lower Civil Service Pension Scheme contributions following McCloud judgment
Unions pause strike plans after breakthrough offer of 'meaningful talks'
26 May HR
Unions pause strike plans after breakthrough offer of 'meaningful talks'
FDA pauses industrial action ballot and Prospect cancels planned all-out strike next month
Drive to create ‘great’ government services will measure usability and efficiency
26 May Digital, Data & Technology
Drive to create ‘great’ government services will measure usability and efficiency
Head of CDDO reveals metrics used to assess critical services
Civil service’s biggest union wants Long Covid classed as a disability
26 May HR
Civil service’s biggest union wants Long Covid classed as a disability
PCS conference hears departmental managers have “blasé attitude” to crippling condition suffered by millions
Places for Growth: Early-stage report floated 60,000 job relocations
26 May Civil Service Reform
Places for Growth: Early-stage report floated 60,000 job relocations
Figure is almost three times the number of moves the Cabinet Office eventually settled on
Stop using rapid-response teams for 'strike breaking', PCS says
25 May Civil Service Reform
Stop using rapid-response teams for 'strike breaking', PCS says
Union says staff are deployed "often against their own will and conscience” to "undermine" strikes
Unions seek 14% pay rise for family-court staff
25 May HR
Unions seek 14% pay rise for family-court staff
Cafcass should be exempt from civil service pay remit guidance, Unison and Napo say
‘Dysfunctional’ FCDO systems left aid watchdog unable to recruit staff and pay contractors
25 May Civil Service Reform
‘Dysfunctional’ FCDO systems left aid watchdog unable to recruit staff and pay contractors
ICAI details recruitment and spending challenges following FCO-DfID merger
Braverman will not face investigation over speeding row, Sunak decides
24 May Politics & Constitution
Braverman will not face investigation over speeding row, Sunak decides
PM says Braverman did not break the ministerial code but recognises "perception of impropriety"
PCS to boycott ‘farcical’ delegated pay talks
24 May HR
PCS to boycott ‘farcical’ delegated pay talks
Union refuses to negotiate with individual employers until "more money on the table"