Justice & Home Affairs

Interim chief inspector of probation Paul Wilson tells CSW he is optimistic about the 'Transforming Rehabilitation' scheme – but warns over “more for less” culture

Justice secretary Michael Gove tells MPs that Just Solutions International – the commercial arm of the National Offender Management Service – will abandon deal to advise Saudi Arabia on running of prisons

Latest report by the public accounts committee warns police could bear brunt of "cost shunting" by other departments, but Home Office says it is working on reforms to make the system more "fair, robust and transparent"

MI5 director general Andrew Parker gives first live interview to "increase understanding" of intelligence agency's work – and suggests social media firms have an "ethical responsibility" to report terror concerns

Director general for civil service reform to take up post as Home Office’s second permanent secretary, with responsibility for immigration and free movement

Theatre review: Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan's retelling of George Orwell's classic makes for a superbly nervy viewing experience

Justice department to run policy fellowships to expand “pool of people” delivering extensive reform programme

Former Treasury perm sec Lord Burns to review Freedom of Information laws and consider "safe space" argument, while Cabinet Office takes over responsibility for FOI from the Ministry of Justice

MoJ consults on plan to close 91 courts and tribunals and merge 31 more

Scathing report on prisons estate from Nick Hardwick blames deterioration on staff shortages, over-crowding and "misguided policies"

Lowell Goddard orders civil servants not to destroy documents relating to the sexual abuse of children.

Richard Heaton to succeed Ursula Brennan as MoJ permanent secretary, while civil service chief executive John Manzoni given Heaton's Cabinet Office perm sec remit