Leadership

With the end of 2018 fast approaching, we asked the UK's top civil servants to look back at the year, outline their goals for 2019 – and tell us who would turn on their town’s Christmas lights.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell tells cabinet secretary that failing to prepare for an incoming Labour government could repeat problems of Brexit planning

Trade unions call on civil service chiefs to show they are standing up on behalf of staff in pay talks

Watchdog slams departmental response as ‘looking to obscure’ systemic weaknesses in the border and immigration system

Brexiteer MPs claim Theresa May had told them she would shake up the negotiating team, headed by Olly Robbins

New appointments in the civil service, UK politics, and public affairs, via our colleagues at Dods People

MPs’ report backing the appointment provides an insight into recruitment process for senior government oversight role

The role of private secretary is a well-beaten path to power. but what’s so special about being a secretary? Andrew Greenway explores

Taking up the roles of cabinet secretary and head of the civil service at a time of seismic change, Sir Mark Sedwill is leading a 400,000-strong team that is growing fast and working hard amid deep uncertainty. He talks to Jess Bowie and Suzannah Brecknell about his priorities, and what he thinks will define his time as government’s top official

Move aims to help managers and applicants understand range of opportunities

Last year’s novichok attacks in Salisbury brought global threats to the doorstep of the government’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. Chief executive Gary Aitkenhead tells Richard Johnstone how it is responding to the changing world

New appointments in the civil service, UK politics, and public affairs, via our colleagues at Dods People