Civil Service Reform

Workforce shrinks by 8,000 posts – with GovCos and privatisations accounting for much of the change

When members of the public want to complain about government bodies, it falls to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to investigate. Sarah Aston speaks to the watchdog's newly-appointed non-executive directors Julia Tabreham and Ruth Sawtell about efforts to simplify the system, and change the perception that complaining doesn't make a difference

Lord Macdonald tells File on 4 that policy and legal advice functions will “suffer” amid squeeze on resources – but current director of public prosecutions Alison Saunders praises "dedicated" staff

Labour's new leader promotes Lucy Powell to shadow education

PM highlights achievements of Whitehall's digital team as he argues government has "moral imperative" to "streamline" public services

Culture secretary tells MPs budget cuts will lead to “difficult decisions” for DCMS but department not in “any danger” of disappearing 

Crown Commercial Service promises to boost role of smaller firms as provision of travel and conference booking for officials is split into four contracts

With the new cross-government learning contract currently out to tender, Civil Service Learning director Hilary Spencer explains how the system will work in future – and why it will pave the way for better public services 

Former head of the civil service tells chancellor at Lords committee hearing that he believes argument for running a surplus is a "smokescreen" for a smaller state

Opinion: The Spending Review calls for yet more cuts to departmental spending. But at what price?

New watchdog the Single Source Regulations Office seeks to overhaul MoD deals with single-source contractors

The forthcoming Spending Review must focus on outcomes and delivery, and also be the springboard for an honest debate about the very nature of our public sector, argues CIPFA's Rob Whiteman

Keela Shackell-Smith describes how she helped break the Environment Agency’s glass ceiling and increase the percentage of women in senior roles 

By taking an agile approach and turning to the public for help with a new property app, the Land Registry scooped last year’s Civil Service Award for Innovation. Colin Marrs finds out more

As co-founders of the Defence Cyber Protection Partnership, the Ministry of Defence is at the forefront of efforts to tackle the rising threat of cyber attack. Sarah Aston talks to the MoD’s cyber industry deputy head Daniel Selman

The Office of National Statistics will now be able to compare progress of families who have taken part in the programme with those who have not

Crown Commercial Service says extension of licensing deal with Oracle lays the foundation of a “more collaborative” relationship

Three new members join former DfE non-executive Sir Theodore Agnew as Ministry of Justice’s non-executive board

Four former members of the Number 10 staff recall the highs and lows of their time at the centre of government

Outgoing digital chief Mike Bracken cites "stresses and strains" of the job – but says Government as a Platform plans still being assessed

Opinion: George Osborne’s call for more savings will be tough to meet, but it also offers the chance for a fundamental rethink of the way services are run

Current GDS chief operating officer Stephen Foreshew-Cain "stepping up to lead" the service – with four more leaders moving on

Government Digital Services chief Mike Bracken – who is leaving the unit in September – to become chief digital officer at the Co-op group

Central government departments are still not incentivised to manage their budgets well, says the chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA)