Civil Service Reform

Management consultants looking at "operating costs across the department and partner organisations", says business secretary, but none "working directly" on its response to the Spending Review

Tim Kelsey to step down as NHS England’s national director for patients and information

Major business lobby group sets out stall ahead of government-wide Spending Review – with shared services, digitisation, and payment-by-results top of the agenda

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