Rail franchising system scrapped
21 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
Rail franchising system scrapped
New ‘recovery’ contracts given to rail firms ahead of new system coming into force
NAO to probe transparency of government procurement during pandemic
21 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
NAO to probe transparency of government procurement during pandemic
Auditor general says spending watchdog will produce ‘detailed piece of work’
Boris Johnson says civil service must ‘respond faster and better’ to needs of public
17 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
Boris Johnson says civil service must ‘respond faster and better’ to needs of public
Prime minister tells watchdog MPs he is not “shy of reform” but insists changes won’t be made in a “spirit of disapproval”
Unions accuse Hancock of failing to ‘properly consult’ over creation of NIHP
16 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
Unions accuse Hancock of failing to ‘properly consult’ over creation of NIHP
Civil service unions have serious concerns over the new health body
Pandemic pressures push civil service headcount higher, ONS reports
16 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
Pandemic pressures push civil service headcount higher, ONS reports
Quarterly figures show staff numbers grew by 3,600 between March and June, with Department for Work and Pensions posting biggest rise
Government ‘has scaled back adverts for coronavirus tests in bid to reduce demand’
16 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
Government ‘has scaled back adverts for coronavirus tests in bid to reduce demand’
Exclusive from PoliticsHome: Move comes as government insists it is working hard to increase capacity
NHS contact tracing app to launch this month amid increasing test concerns
15 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
NHS contact tracing app to launch this month amid increasing test concerns
App launch announced as NHS Providers accuses government of not “being as open” with testing capacity problems
Department denies chair shortage is hampering return-to-work drive
15 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
Department denies chair shortage is hampering return-to-work drive
Report suggests Whitehall faces a “bum fight” for seats after chairs are sent to civil servants’ homes for lockdown
DWP rapped for coronavirus health and safety failings at Leeds office
11 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
DWP rapped for coronavirus health and safety failings at Leeds office
Inspector dubs return-to-work targets “ambitious and unrealistic” after finding social-distancing rules being breached
Cabinet Office urged to rethink ‘irresponsible’ back-to-work plans for civil servants
10 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
Cabinet Office urged to rethink ‘irresponsible’ back-to-work plans for civil servants
Union calls on perm sec Alex Chisholm to shelve 80% target amid “growing concern” over second wave of Covid-19
HMRC planned only 30% office return before Cabinet Office set 80% target, perm sec reveals
09 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
HMRC planned only 30% office return before Cabinet Office set 80% target, perm sec reveals
Jim Harra says department currently has capacity for around 30% of the department’s staff to come into offices
Hancock: New social gathering restrictions ‘absolutely vital to protect life’
09 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
Hancock: New social gathering restrictions ‘absolutely vital to protect life’
‘We need everyone to see the new rules and read them,’ says Matt Hancock