Stats regulator urges ministers and officials to implement Covid lessons
08 Oct 2021 Coronavirus
Stats regulator urges ministers and officials to implement Covid lessons
Pandemic sparked “unprecedented public engagement" with health data but highlighted challenges, OSR says
Meg Hillier: Covid isn’t a licence for departments to act fast and loose on procurement
06 Oct 2021 Coronavirus
Meg Hillier: Covid isn’t a licence for departments to act fast and loose on procurement
Public Accounts Committee will continue to challenge government on its award of contracts, says chair
Labour would claw back money spent on failing Covid contracts, Reeves pledges
28 Sep 2021 Coronavirus
Labour would claw back money spent on failing Covid contracts, Reeves pledges
Shadow chancellor also promises “biggest wave of insourcing in a generation” if party wins next general election
Departments take cautious approach on return to office
27 Sep 2021 Coronavirus
Departments take cautious approach on return to office
Ministries trial hybrid-working plans but fears remain about staff being pressured back to desks
DfE rebuffs call for systematic review of Covid response
15 Sep 2021 Coronavirus
DfE rebuffs call for systematic review of Covid response
Department is focusing on ongoing improvements and government-wide public inquiry, perm sec Susan Acland-Hood says
Vaccines minister pressured to accelerate officials’ return to offices
07 Sep 2021 Coronavirus
Vaccines minister pressured to accelerate officials’ return to offices
Nadim Zahawi says departments must 'lead by example' on return to office, despite support for hybrid working
Police thwart anti-vax protesters’ bid to storm MHRA headquarters
06 Sep 2021 Coronavirus
Police thwart anti-vax protesters’ bid to storm MHRA headquarters
Union chief condemns “utterly disgraceful” behaviour of anti-vaccine campaigners outside Department of Health and Social Care executive agency
Economic bounce-back ‘won’t shield departments in Spending Review’
31 Aug 2021 Coronavirus
Economic bounce-back ‘won’t shield departments in Spending Review’
Institute for Government says Sunak will need to find additional funding to protect public services
Scottish Government to hold own Covid-19 inquiry
26 Aug 2021 Coronavirus
Scottish Government to hold own Covid-19 inquiry
With UK-wide public inquiry delayed until 2022, Sturgeon says Scotland's probe should start "as soon as possible"
DHSC signs contract to buy 35 million more doses of Pfizer vaccine
24 Aug 2021 Coronavirus
DHSC signs contract to buy 35 million more doses of Pfizer vaccine
Booster programme will help "future-proof the country from the threat of Covid-19"
DHSC to pay up to £125k for six-month post after test and trace comms chief moves to royal household
20 Aug 2021 Coronavirus
DHSC to pay up to £125k for six-month post after test and trace comms chief moves to royal household
Contract to fill “prominent and politically sensitive role” awarded without competitive tender
Scottish Government sticks with homeworking advice as restrictions lift
09 Aug 2021 Coronavirus
Scottish Government sticks with homeworking advice as restrictions lift
Employers are also encouraged to move towards a hybrid model in the longer term