Leadership

New report by the National Audit Office spending watchdog finds that while departmental spending on consultants and temporary staff has plummeted over last five years, latest figures indicate a “short-term reduction rather than a sustainable strategy”

Exclusive: Civil Service Learning director tells CSW that redesigned training scheme will be "much, much better" to use, involving courses that are "co-created with civil servants" – and sheds light on the new leadership academy set to launch this year

Sir Philip Dilley to step down, citing media intrusion and requirement to be "available at short notice throughout the year"

HM Revenue and Customs boss is leaving the civil service later this year – and vows to carefully consider "appropriateness of potential roles and organisations" for life after Whitehall

The public services watchdog seeks help from civil servants in drawing up a new service charter

Former head of the civil service speaks out against plans to toughen union laws in latest high-profile intervention

Simon Case heading back to Number 10 from GCHQ

Watchdog seeks additional information on commercial sector links

Proposals to allow changes to pay and terms for specialists being finalised for the new financial year, it is understood, amid claims salaries could top £300,000

Institute for Government analysis of People Survey data shows "strong and improving" trajectory for fostering an ideas culture

Dieter Helm, chair of the advisory Natural Capital Committee, urges creation of a new "smaller, more tightly focussed Environment Protection agency"

National Audit Office raises concerns over the number of transformation projects government is undertaking, as report notes that over a third of major projects due to be delivered this Parliament may be unachievable

Chancellor George Osborne pays tribute to "one of the outstanding public servants of his generation" as Macpherson announces his departure from the civil service

Police and the FCO may have got off more lightly than feared at November’s Spending Review, but many other departments face a substantial real-terms squeeze over the next four years

Special report: The civil service is getting happier, according to its most recent People Survey. Suzannah Brecknell explores what else the survey tells us about change and engagement across government

Chief executive of the tax authority awarded in New Year's Honours list - while DWP perm sec Robert Devereux is knighted

With the end of 2015 in sight, we asked Whitehall's top officials to look back at the year, set out their priorities for 2016 – and shed some light on their festive plans...

With the end of 2015 in sight, we asked Whitehall's top officials to review the year, set out their priorities for 2016 – and shed some light on their festive plans. Sir Derek Jones, permanent secretary of the Welsh Government, takes part in our biggest-ever perm secs' round-up series...

With the end of 2015 in sight, we asked Whitehall's top officials to review the year, set out their priorities for 2016 – and shed some light on their festive plans. Ordnance Survey chief executive Nigel Clifford takes part in our biggest-ever perm secs' round-up series...

With the end of 2015 in sight, we asked Whitehall's top officials to review the year, set out their priorities for 2016 – and shed some light on their festive plans. National Savings & Investments (NS&I) chief executive Jane Platt takes part in our biggest-ever perm secs' round-up series...

With the end of 2015 in sight, we asked Whitehall's top officials to review the year, set out their priorities for 2016 – and shed some light on their festive plans. Civil service chief executive and Cabinet Office permanent secretary John Manzoni takes part in our biggest-ever perm secs' round-up series...

With the end of 2015 in sight, we asked Whitehall's top officials to review the year, set out their priorities for 2016 – and shed some light on their festive plans. Sir Jeremy Heywood, cabinet secretary and head of the civil service, takes part in our biggest-ever perm secs' round-up series...

With the end of 2015 in sight, we asked Whitehall's top officials to review the year, set out their priorities for 2016 – and shed some light on their festive plans. Department for Education permanent secretary Chris Wormald takes part in our biggest-ever perm secs' round-up series

With the end of 2015 in sight, we asked Whitehall's top officials to review the year, set out their priorities for 2016 – and shed some light on their festive plans. Major Projects Authority chief executive Tony Meggs takes part in our biggest-ever perm secs' round-up series