Health & Social Care

Senior civil servant and medical statistician to become director general, succeeding Tom Hurd

Instead of invoking the Civil Contingencies Act when the pandemic broke out, the government drafted its own coronavirus bill. Could it be because of the CCA's emphasis on scrutiny?

Work to build on PHE review that found death rates are highest among BAME communities – as EHRC launches inquiry

Outsourcer training coronavirus tracers was told to take "remedial measures" after sharing email addressers

Reorganisation comes after Simon Case returns to civil service as No.10 perm sec

Sir David Norgrove says he understands the pressures faced by staff but adds “I am sure you would agree that good evidence is essential to success in containing the virus”

Patrick Vallance aims to address "misconceptions" about science advice

PM says 'cautious' changes to England's lockdown are being made today

Health department says ‘all large-scale operations’ experience similar challenges

PM steps in to stop chief science and medial officers from answering press questions on top adviser’s lockdown trips

System launched ahead of NHS app intended to help people find out if they have came into contact with anyone with Covid-19 symptoms

Tests of antiviral medication remdesivir to begin

Scientist speaks out as junior minister resigns over spad's lockdown breach

"The costs of government’s response are large and uncertain," public spending watchdog says

Government wants to appear like it takes workers' safety seriously "without actually doing anything about it", Clancy says

Lack of tests among “most significant problems” in government's handling of the pandemic, Science and Technology Committee says

"The value and performance of government contracts... is a matter of public interest," shadow Cabinet Office minister says

Labour asks government why it is only planning to recruit 18,000 roles, saying as many as 50,000 may be needed

Social media channels from across government will highlight work of individual officials in coronavirus response

Track-and-trace app being trialled now will do "heavy lifting" once social-distancing measures are lifted, science adviser says

Symbolic numbers picked to deflect public pressure can create more problems than they solve

Cabinet considers plans ahead of prime ministerial statement on Sunday, with new 'Stay Safe, Save Lives' message

Prof Geoff Mulgan, former head of Tony Blair's Strategy Unit, talks to Colin Talbot about how the UK government put in place risk and resilience systems in the early 2000s – and what has gone wrong since. And how governments can improve things for the future.

As health service app moves towards nationwide launch, regulator sets out principles that should be followed