Foreign Affairs

Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman sides with Tory backbenchers in row over waiving neutrality for machinery of government in the run-up to the EU vote

Philip Hammond says campaigning to stay in a reformed Europe is "clear" government position

Policy-makers around the world are using open data to bolster their development programmes, says Liz Carolan of the Open Data Institute

Foreign Office announces that its permanent secretary Simon Fraser is to leave Whitehall at the end of July

Lord Kerslake tells the Financial Times pressure on other budgets could be made "more acute" by protection of defence spending

As winners of the Analysis and Use of Evidence Award at the 2014 Civil Service Awards, DfID’s Humanitarian Innovation and Evidence Programme is at the forefront of Whitehall’s shift towards evidence-based policy. Sarah Aston meets team leader Dr Joanna Macrae

Report by MPs on the Defence Committee says UK must be prepared to deal with both 'unconventional and conventional threats'

Former environment secretary set to pressure government over Ministry of Defence budget, while defence secretary Michael Fallon says he will be 'fighting' against MoD cuts

MPs on the Public Accounts Committee warn commercial skills gap at Defence Equipment and Support will undermine MoD efforts to reduce costs if not addressed

With the defence budget becoming ever more contentious, the MoD’s permanent secretary Jon Thompson must continue to balance spending decisions with national security. It’s a tough job – but one he’s privileged to do, he tells Jess Bowie. Photos by Paul Heartfield

Former head of MI6 intelligence agency Sir Richard Dearlove says 'lack of trust' in politicians means new regulator needed

Philip Smith, deputy head of the UK's aid programme in Malawi, explains how the Department for International Development is helping the country respond to devastating floods

Legal framework around surveillance too complicated, says Intelligence and Security Committee

Northern Irish unionist party the DUP says 2% defence pledge a 'very clear' part of terms for coalition support

General Sir Peter Wall says 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review assumed 'benign' world situation

Think tank RUSI says UK unlikely to meet 2% Nato target

Independent Commission for Aid Impact says security and justice work lacks focus, but praises more targeted efforts in Malawi and Bangladesh

Defence committee chair stresses warning over Russian expertise

Defence safety regulators to merge into Defence Safety Authority from 1 April 2015

As Britain’s first anti-slavery commissioner, Kevin Hyland is on a mission to set people free – with the help of some friends in very high places. Sarah Aston spoke to him.

As the UK’s first independent chief inspector of borders and immigration, John Vine gave the Home Office a few nasty nips. But don’t read too much into his early departure, he tells Sarah Aston

Home Office let off the hook after court rules department does not have to pay damages to defence firm 

New Diplomatic Academy set up to improve knowledge and skills of FCO staff