Calls for major productivity improvements are ‘ludicrous’ warns union chief
29 Nov 2023 Economy
Calls for major productivity improvements are ‘ludicrous’ warns union chief
Prospect general secretary says suggestion departments can cover funding shortfalls with new efficiencies is not credible
Departments need ‘significant’ productivity improvements, OBR chair warns
28 Nov 2023 Economy
Departments need ‘significant’ productivity improvements, OBR chair warns
Watchdog “doesn’t know” whether the government’s spending plans are plausible or not
HMRC under fire for ‘utterly extraordinary’ decisions on Making Tax Digital
24 Nov 2023 Economy
HMRC under fire for ‘utterly extraordinary’ decisions on Making Tax Digital
MPs demand greater transparency after billions of pounds in transitional costs for customers were excluded from business cases
Autumn Statement: Unprotected departments face real-terms cuts of 3.4%, IFS warns
23 Nov 2023 Economy
Autumn Statement: Unprotected departments face real-terms cuts of 3.4%, IFS warns
Think-tank says shrinking capital spending will be problematic for public-sector productivity drive
OBR: Autumn Statement measures will cause £19bn fall in public spending power
22 Nov 2023 Economy
OBR: Autumn Statement measures will cause £19bn fall in public spending power
Fiscal watchdog warns of growing risk that public spending plans will not be met
Whitty: No.10 should have consulted scientists on Eat Out To Help Out
22 Nov 2023 Economy
Whitty: No.10 should have consulted scientists on Eat Out To Help Out
Chief medical officer says he "firmly" told Downing Street it should have informed him and Patrick Vallance about the Covid policy
Northern Ireland heading for £1bn overspend
10 Nov 2023 Economy
Northern Ireland heading for £1bn overspend
'Fair' public sector pay awards set to add £590m to overspend, Department of Finance perm sec says
Departments facing 16% real-terms budget cuts, think tank predicts
06 Nov 2023 Economy
Departments facing 16% real-terms budget cuts, think tank predicts
Such a big five-year drop in spending "looks completely undeliverable", Resolution Foundation research director says
Fast Stream hits 50% STEM grads recruitment target
26 Oct 2023 Economy
Fast Stream hits 50% STEM grads recruitment target
Jeremy Quin says target is part of plan to "put innovation at the very core of policy making"
Cash boost and ambition needed to improve UK infrastructure, advisers say
18 Oct 2023 Economy
Cash boost and ambition needed to improve UK infrastructure, advisers say
UK is at a “pivotal moment... to make a major difference to this country’s future", but must “get on with it”, commission says
DBT announces regulator review ‘to cut red tape and bureaucracy’
03 Oct 2023 Economy
DBT announces regulator review ‘to cut red tape and bureaucracy’
Exercise will cover 90 bodies and look to “capitalise” on post-Brexit freedoms
Gus O’Donnell: Current spending plans are ‘totally unsustainable’
28 Sep 2023 Economy
Gus O’Donnell: Current spending plans are ‘totally unsustainable’
Former cab sec says matching Conservative spending commitments won’t help Labour at next election
Levelling up needs a new approach, IfG tells Sunak and Starmer
15 Sep 2023 Economy
Levelling up needs a new approach, IfG tells Sunak and Starmer
Think tank says central government is “not set up to deliver” current agenda or Labour’s plans for reducing regional inequality
MPs demand cross-departmental review of ‘incoherent’ approach to food policy
28 Jul 2023 Economy
MPs demand cross-departmental review of ‘incoherent’ approach to food policy
Report calls on Cabinet Office to take action amid supply fears, cost-of-living concerns and obesity crisis
Government Major Projects Portfolio grows for third year running
27 Jul 2023 Economy
Government Major Projects Portfolio grows for third year running
Red-rated schemes reduce as overall number of projects increases
Cabinet Office accused of ‘vagueness’ and ‘boosterism’ on civil service jobs relocations
27 Jul 2023 Economy
Cabinet Office accused of ‘vagueness’ and ‘boosterism’ on civil service jobs relocations
Plans for new hubs should be placed under review until there is clarity on remote-working rules and headcount reductions, MPs say
High Court backs unions challenging ‘strike-breaking’ legislation
14 Jul 2023 Economy
High Court backs unions challenging ‘strike-breaking’ legislation
Judge rules business department did not consult properly on Kwarteng-led changes to aid the use of agency workers
Departments ‘not taking siloed approach’ to net zero, perm sec insists
16 Jun 2023 Economy
Departments ‘not taking siloed approach’ to net zero, perm sec insists
However DESNZ boss Jeremy Pocklington tells MPs seven key sectors targeted for innovation would benefit from “a clearer lead”
Hunt announces ‘most ambitious public sector productivity review ever’
13 Jun 2023 Economy
Hunt announces ‘most ambitious public sector productivity review ever’
Treasury will be an "enabler of reform" as ministers follow path to growth trodden by Thatcher, chancellor says
Sunak and Biden launch ‘Atlantic Declaration’ economic-security partnership
09 Jun 2023 Economy
Sunak and Biden launch ‘Atlantic Declaration’ economic-security partnership
Labour says plans – which include car batteries and nuclear power – fall short of government’s promised trade deal
EXCL: Efficiency review finds higher savings target ‘not realistic’ as inflation bites
06 Jun 2023 Economy
EXCL: Efficiency review finds higher savings target ‘not realistic’ as inflation bites
Alex Chisholm says he is “confident” departments will meet 5% target, despite inflation pressures and demands from new government
Whitehall ‘not moving fast enough’ on product-safety reform
12 May 2023 Economy
Whitehall ‘not moving fast enough’ on product-safety reform
Public Accounts Committee chair voices concerns about pace of progress with 2021 review
DfE minister admits ‘challenge’ of Spring Budget childcare offer
09 May 2023 Economy
DfE minister admits ‘challenge’ of Spring Budget childcare offer
Expansion of 30-hours-a-week entitlement requires renaissance in recruitment, Claire Coutinho tells MPs
DWP staff at 13 jobcentres to strike in May
18 Apr 2023 Economy
DWP staff at 13 jobcentres to strike in May
Walkouts will disrupt "ill-thought-out plans" for strict Universal Credit pilot and support PCS's campaign for better pay, union says