Leadership

Sir Simon Fraser expresses regret over lack of women on shortlist to succeed him as Foreign Office permanent secretary

Outgoing Foreign Office permanent secretary stresses the need for “balance” between the centre of government and individual departments ahead of further reforms

PAC chair Meg Hillier accuses the DCLG perm sec of "sophistry" as Melanie Dawes seeks to explain communities department's handling of scheme to free up public land for new homes

Cabinet secretary stresses that spending review will allow departments to make "considered decisions" on "size and shape of their workforces"

Civil service must avoid culture of “delegating up” and take ownership of policy delivery, says civil service chief John Manzoni

Chancellor uses first Conservative-only Budget to announce four more years of public sector pay restraint

As first Civil Service Commissioner, Sir David Normington regularly interviews officials and outside candidates hoping to make the leap to the Senior Civil Service. At an "Unlocking the Senior Civil Service" event in Westminster – co-hosted by CSW's parent company Dods and the FDA union – he offered some words of advice for those looking to make the leap

Working on ambitious major projects can be daunting, but good planning can make life a lot more simple

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

Cabinet Office announces that Hill – Defra's perm sec since 2011 – will be succeeded by the DfT's Clare Moriarty

Labour MP Simon Danczuk calls for DPP to step aside as Right to Review scheme orders "trial of facts" over Lord Janner abuse claims

Fretting about tomorrow’s front pages, dealing with Downing Street, and letting the policy team down gently – former press officer Dunstan Hadley reveals what it’s really like working in government comms