Post-pandemic policymaking 'must go beyond following the science', professors say
02 Oct 2020 Coronavirus
Post-pandemic policymaking 'must go beyond following the science', professors say
British Academy project sets out ‘five principles to draw on "full breadth of knowledge" for policy
Levelling-up agenda at risk from Brexit and Covid-19 recovery work, IFS warns
02 Oct 2020 Coronavirus
Levelling-up agenda at risk from Brexit and Covid-19 recovery work, IFS warns
Think tank says drive to fix regional inequalities will compete with “Build Back Better” coronavirus recovery and end of transition period
Civil service “infantilised” by use of consultants, Cabinet Office minister says
30 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
Civil service “infantilised” by use of consultants, Cabinet Office minister says
Letter seen by the Guardian criticises official capacity to deliver Brexit
IFS calls for another one-year Spending Review as it warns of sharp choices ahead
29 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
IFS calls for another one-year Spending Review as it warns of sharp choices ahead
Think tank says previous government spending forecasts have been rendered ‘obsolete’ by coronavirus
Johnson dubs lockdown-inspired call for public services shake-up ‘exciting’
25 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
Johnson dubs lockdown-inspired call for public services shake-up ‘exciting’
Danny Kruger’s community-empowerment manifesto eyes creation of £2bn “Levelling Up Fund” with cash from dormant funds
Sunak confirms furlough scheme will end but unveils new job support plans
24 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
Sunak confirms furlough scheme will end but unveils new job support plans
Union anger as chancellor tells MPs the economy is facing a ‘more permanent adjustment’ because of coronavirus pandemic
Gus O’Donnell blasts ministers for ‘weak strategy and leadership’ in Covid-19 response
24 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
Gus O’Donnell blasts ministers for ‘weak strategy and leadership’ in Covid-19 response
Ex-cab sec says placing rhetoric over substance is damaging public trust in government and scientific institutions
Civil service return-to-work target was ‘never based in reality’, says union chief
23 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
Civil service return-to-work target was ‘never based in reality’, says union chief
FDA general secretary dubs U-turn a ‘shambles’ while PCS seeks assurances working from home will be the norm until next year
Gove confirms return-to-work drive for civil service has been halted
22 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
Gove confirms return-to-work drive for civil service has been halted
Cabinet Office minister says plan to see 80% of staff back at their workplaces by end of month has been ditched as second spike of coronavirus approaches
‘PM must choose’: Johnson faces further calls to clarify Dido Harding’s role
22 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
‘PM must choose’: Johnson faces further calls to clarify Dido Harding’s role
Dual work as public-health head and Conservative peer ‘blurs the fundamental distinction that officials cannot act in a party political way’, Downing Street is warned
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
HMRC targets furlough fraudsters after up to £3.5bn wrongly paid out via scheme
08 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
HMRC targets furlough fraudsters after up to £3.5bn wrongly paid out via scheme
Perm sec Jim Harra tells MPs the scheme's fraud and error rate "could be between 5% and 10%" of £35.4bn bill
Perm secs told to get 80% of civil servants into the office by the end of September
07 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
Perm secs told to get 80% of civil servants into the office by the end of September
Union bosses slam target after Sir Mark Sedwill and Alex Chisholm tell department chiefs to "move quickly"