Tim Durrant

Don't get new ministers' briefs in a twist
02 Jul 2024 Policy
Don't get new ministers' briefs in a twist
Planning for new ministers is important, including studying all the manifestos. Just make sure those plans are flexible, as you never know what they will ask when they’re actually in office
Claims of personal integrity won't cut it, the next PM must reinstate ethical standards
30 Aug 2022 HR
Claims of personal integrity won't cut it, the next PM must reinstate ethical standards
Liz Truss has refused to commit to reappointing an ethics adviser if she becomes prime minister. Neglecting the system that upholds the rules increases the risk her own premiership will be derailed by scandal
Opinion: whoever is prime minister must think twice about department changes
12 Dec 2019 Civil Service Reform
Opinion: whoever is prime minister must think twice about department changes

Prime ministers often want to leave their mark on Whitehall, but there are good reasons to rage against machinery of government changes
Opinion: How civil service advice should adapt to the UK’s fraught politics
11 Sep 2019 Brexit
Opinion: How civil service advice should adapt to the UK’s fraught politics

The weeks ahead will likely be dominated by politics, not policy. Private offices should play a key role in helping officials understand what is driving ministers’ decisions, says Tim Durrant
What ministers want: advice for civil servants about to meet the new boss
18 Jul 2019 Government Tax Profession
What ministers want: advice for civil servants about to meet the new boss

The only certainty in the Conservative leadership race is that some civil servants will get a new boss, says the Institute for Government’s Tim Durrant