Starmer frustrated at gap between 'pulling levers' and delivery
16 Dec 2025 Politics & Constitution
Starmer frustrated at gap between 'pulling levers' and delivery
PM says regulations, consultations and arm’s-length bodies "mean the action from pulling the lever to delivery is longer than it ought to be"
Unions slam Reform UK plans to oust perm secs and cut 68,500 jobs
15 Dec 2025 Politics & Constitution
Unions slam Reform UK plans to oust perm secs and cut 68,500 jobs
Party announces more details of civil service reform policies including weakening pensions in favour of higher bonuses, increasing office working and big cuts to policy profession
Bosses need better insight on how civil servants spend their time, MPs say
15 Dec 2025 Politics & Constitution
Bosses need better insight on how civil servants spend their time, MPs say
Public Accounts Committee chair laments departments’ “hazy understanding” of the cost of delivering services
Sajid Javid reflects on departments with most 'passionate' staff
12 Dec 2025 Politics & Constitution
Sajid Javid reflects on departments with most 'passionate' staff
Former chancellor speaks about risk-aversion, diary secretaries and the departments officials "really wanted to work in"
Michael Barber to join House of Lords
11 Dec 2025 Politics & Constitution
Michael Barber to join House of Lords
Delivery guru is one of 34 nominees for life peerages, including former Labour spads Matthew Doyle and Katie Martin
NAO report highlights asylum system failings
10 Dec 2025 Politics & Constitution
NAO report highlights asylum system failings
Watchdog points to “short-term reactive measures” and lack of cross-departmental shared objectives
DWP perm sec lauds improved fraud-and-error forecast
05 Dec 2025 Politics & Constitution
DWP perm sec lauds improved fraud-and-error forecast
Peter Schofield tells MPs department is on track to bring rates down to “previously unseen” levels
Probe into China spy trial collapse finds ‘shambolic’ processes in government
04 Dec 2025 Politics & Constitution
Probe into China spy trial collapse finds ‘shambolic’ processes in government
But MPs and peers say there is no evidence of a co-ordinated “high-level” effort to scupper the prosecution
Government must disrupt status quo, says Cabinet Office minister
03 Dec 2025 Politics & Constitution
Government must disrupt status quo, says Cabinet Office minister
Josh Simons says government reforms must be “brash” and “blatant”
OBR chair Richard Hughes quits over Budget-document bungle
02 Dec 2025 Politics & Constitution
OBR chair Richard Hughes quits over Budget-document bungle
MPs are told that Spring Statement paper was also accessed early because of “systemic issues”
Ministers considering reforms to Whitehall 'write-around' process
14 Nov 2025 Politics & Constitution
Ministers considering reforms to Whitehall 'write-around' process
Process is designed to ensure there is government-wide agreement on cross-departmental issues
Starmer apologises for 'unfortunate error' in approving football regulator appointment
13 Nov 2025 Politics & Constitution
Starmer apologises for 'unfortunate error' in approving football regulator appointment
PM has ordered an internal review of No.10 recusals after rubber stamping David Kogan's appointment as chair