Economy

Some four million callers were unable to speak to staff in the past year, with wait times and number of complaints rising

Brexit select committee says nation is cruising towards default ongoing membership post 2020

Jon Thompson says prime minister’s preferred customs partnership option could be cost neutral but take five years to set up

Civil Aviation Authority chief Andrew Haines announced as chief executive of the DfT-owned company

Former transport secretary criticises ‘bonanza for lawyers and consultants’ during five-month delay before line was renationalised

Innovative selection process sees three firms picked for 10-year project to support personnel for next-generation Dreadnought Class nuclear submarines

Changes to so-called IR35 rules for “off-payroll” workers boost coffers as ministers mull roll-out to private firms 

David Sterling backs decision by department to appeal High Court judgment against construction of incinerator

Department pledges to take more notice of green building certification and increase use of low-emission vehicles

Dame Judith Hackitt also wants building regulations reviews at least every five years, and for the results to be “user-friendly”

Government will launch new London North Eastern Railway brand to run services after financial failure of operator Virgin-Stagecoach

NICS decision to approve waste incinerator in absence of executive overturned in court

Department accused of lacking cost control as affordability gap opens up in 10-year programme

Minister Greg Hands reveals Berkshire county town as HQ for Trade Remedies Authority

MPs urge Defra to admit it has an unmanageable workload and accuse DIT of lacking the capacity to do new trade deals

Plan for 2018-19 to focus on four themes, including creating a strong, new relationship with Europe after Brexit

Department points to £185m extra Brexit funding after PAC criticises its lack of preparation

MPs criticise department for not knowing where to spend £7bn pump-priming cashpot

Public spending watchdog supports reasoning behind £35-39bn projection but warns "relatively small changes" could push cost outside the range

House of Lords motion wins backing from all living ex-Cabinet secretaries and former FCO leaders

Lords committee urges government to review procurement rules and develop a national AI strategy

Jon Thompson updates MPs on Customs Declaration Services programme and decisions to scrap some work in favour of Brexit projects

Three months after the collapse of Carillion, organisation says outsourcing firms’ operating models require greater scrutiny

Think-tank says business rates retention schemes will reduce central government’s financial flexibility and may not provide valuable insight