Foreign Affairs

Outgoing permanent representative to the European Union uses resignation letter to tell officials not to shy away from delivering "uncomfortable" truths in the months ahead

Government confirms resignation of UK's top EU diplomat, as former Treasury perm sec Sir Nick Macpherson hits out at sidelining of experts

Exiting the European Union secretary David Davis is told he needs his own scientific adviser "to get the best possible" evidence base for Brexit

Prime minister side-steps question about recent Institute for Government report under questioning from the Liaison committee

Foreign Affairs Committee warns Treasury to "urgently" consider a rethink of the Foreign Office's budget plans given the vote for Brexit

With the end of 2016 fast approaching, we asked the UK's top officials to look back at the year, outline their goals for 2017 – and shed some light on their festive favourites. Mark Lowcock, permanent secretary of the Department for International Development, takes part in our annual perm secs round-up...

With the end of 2016 fast approaching, we asked the UK's top officials to look back at the year, outline their goals for 2017 – and shed some light on their festive favourites. Leslie Evans, permanent secretary of the Scottish Government, takes part in our annual perm secs round-up...

Former cabinet secretary "all sorts of details will still remain to be sorted out" after two-year deadline elapses

Latest report from the Institute for Government finds that departments need clarity about government’s negotiating plans if they are to make the most of Brexit, and urges officials to improve planning for life outside of the European Union

Public Accounts Committee says design of new airport for UK overseas territory failed to account for wind shear, and attacks Department for International Development over planning and accountability

With the end of 2016 fast approaching, we asked the UK's top officials to look back at the year, outline their goals for 2017 – and shed some light on their festive favourites. Sir Martin Donnelly, permanent secretary, Department for International Trade, takes part in our annual perm secs round-up...

With the end of 2016 fast approaching, we asked the UK's top officials to look back at the year, outline their goals for 2017 – and shed some light on their festive favourites. Emma Howard Boyd, chair of the Environment Agency, takes part in our annual perm secs round-up...

With the end of 2016 fast approaching, we asked the UK's top officials to look back at the year, outline their goals for 2017 – and shed some light on their festive favourites. Sir Simon McDonald, permanent under-secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, takes part in our annual perm secs round-up...

With the end of 2016 fast approaching, we asked the UK's top officials to look back at the year, outline their goals for 2017 – and shed some light on their festive favourites. Professor Dame Sally Davies, chief medical officer, takes part in our annual perm secs round-up...

Analysis by The Times finds fees paid to consultancy companies by the Department for International Development have risen sharply in the past year

Proceedings set to last for four days, with a ruling due in the new year

With the end of 2016 fast approaching, we asked the UK's top civil servants to look back at the year, outline their goals for 2017 – and shed some light on their festive favourites. Government communications executive director Alex Aiken takes part in our annual perm secs round-up​

With the end of 2016 fast approaching, we asked the UK's top civil servants to look back at the year, outline their goals for 2017 – and shed some light on their festive favourites.Clare Moriarty, permanent secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs takes part in our annual perm secs round-up​

DIT officials say Whitehall has trebled its trade policy staff numbers since the referendum, and stress focus on training up existing staff rather than drafting in outsiders

Former chief executive of the Office of Rail and Road has also been Defra and Home Office chief economist

FCO perm sec Simon McDonald has told MPs he is “hopeful” that the Treasury will announce a new fund to recruit trade policy staff in today’s Autumn Statement

 Former head of the civil service Lord Kerslake urges government to "pause, review, take stock of what it has in front of it and then revisit the question of capacity"

Labour Party says appointment of Pippa Malmgren raises “awkward questions” for international trade secretary Liam Fox

Aid watchdog hands international development department an amber/red rating for its exit and transition work, but DfID disputes the "rushed" report