Jeremy Heywood: civil service did 'significant' Brexit 'thinking' in final weeks of campaign
14 Sep 2016 Brexit
Jeremy Heywood: civil service did "significant" Brexit "thinking" in final weeks of campaign

Cabinet secretary says row over lack of Whitehall planning for a Leave vote is an "odd debate" – and confirms that "thinking" on Brexit took place in the final 28-day push of the campaign
David Davis: Brexit department staffed by 'very bright young' civil servants – but lacking 'grey hair'
13 Sep 2016 Brexit
David Davis: Brexit department staffed by "very bright young" civil servants – but lacking "grey hair"

Department for Exiting the European Union has "quadrupled" in size over the past eight weeks, says Brexit secretary
Liam Fox warned over plan to recruit international trade department chief from outside Britain
09 Sep 2016 Brexit
Liam Fox warned over plan to recruit international trade department chief from outside Britain

"Open, international" hunt for a new official to lead the Brexit-focused trade department may not be plain sailing for the trade secretary, experts tell CSW
Long-serving business department chief Martin Donnelly to move to international trade – as Alex Chisholm takes over at BEIS
05 Sep 2016 Brexit
Long-serving business department chief Martin Donnelly to move to international trade – as Alex Chisholm takes over at BEIS

Martin Donnelly (pictured) will lead the new Department for International Trade for a transitional period, while former DECC perm sec Alex Chisholm takes on the expanded business department
Dave Penman: Are civil servants really Europhile Brexit-resisters?
02 Sep 2016 Brexit
Dave Penman: Are civil servants really Europhile Brexit-resisters?

The civil service can deliver the best outcome possible from exiting the EU, says the FDA union's general secretary – but only if it is given clear political direction as well as the required capability and capacity
Interview: Former UK Trade & Investment chief Sir Andrew Cahn – 'The lack of Brexit planning was a humiliation for this country'
02 Sep 2016 Brexit
Interview: Former UK Trade & Investment chief Sir Andrew Cahn – "The lack of Brexit planning was a humiliation for this country"

The former head of UK Trade and Investment sits down for lunch with CSW's Matt Foster to talk Brexit fallout, life outside Whitehall – and why life begins at 60
Former cabinet secretary Gus O’Donnell: use fiscal policy to get Brexit economy moving
31 Aug 2016 Brexit
Former cabinet secretary Gus O’Donnell: use fiscal policy to get Brexit economy moving

Britain's former top civil servant argues that we must “push back” deadline for achieving budget surplus in light of post-referendum economic uncertainty
Theresa May's ministers to thrash out Brexit options
31 Aug 2016 Brexit
Theresa May's ministers to thrash out Brexit options

Chequers away-day comes amid reports of tension between some of the key government players on Britain's exit from the European Union
FDA union chief blasts “paranoia” of pro-Brexit MPs complaining about the civil service
29 Aug 2016 Brexit
FDA union chief blasts “paranoia” of pro-Brexit MPs complaining about the civil service

Defence of officials comes after pro-Brexit MP Steve Baker calls for a new law to make it easier to sack Europhile civil servants
Civil service moves special: Who's who at Liam Fox's Department for International Trade?
24 Aug 2016 Brexit
Civil service moves special: Who's who at Liam Fox's Department for International Trade?

Full details on the new leadership team at the DIT – as former UK Trade and Investments chief exec Andrew Cahn tells CSW that setting up a new department could have a "really serious frictional cost"
Nick Raynsford interview – 'My advice to new ministers? Be serious about the job'
19 Aug 2016 Brexit
Nick Raynsford interview – "My advice to new ministers? Be serious about the job"

In eight years as a Labour minister and 22 as an MP, Nick Raynsford learned a thing or two about what works in government. He sits down with CSW’s Matt Foster to talk about his new book, "Substance Not Spin", Whitehall’s fear of letting go — and why his party must not become an “ineffective protest movement”
Brexit department's top civil servant Olly Robbins: We're aiming to stay small
17 Aug 2016 Brexit
Brexit department's top civil servant Olly Robbins: We're aiming to stay small

Permanent secretary of the Department for Exiting the European Union says the new organisation is "growing fast"