'Repeat offender' DLUHC rapped for slow responses to committee reports
21 Sep 2023 Politics & Constitution
'Repeat offender' DLUHC rapped for slow responses to committee reports
Department has missed its deadline for responding to committee reports by six months on average this session
NI perm secs told to begin consultation on cash-raising measures
21 Sep 2023 Politics & Constitution
NI perm secs told to begin consultation on cash-raising measures
Move follows secretary of state’s imposition of £14.2bn budget amid Stormont power vacuum
Cabinet Office chastised over decision to pay Boris Johnson's Partygate legal bill
20 Sep 2023 Politics & Constitution
Cabinet Office chastised over decision to pay Boris Johnson's Partygate legal bill
The department's reasoning was "not wholly persuasive", NAO says as it criticises decision-making proces
DLUHC prepares to send commissioners into ‘bankrupt’ Birmingham
20 Sep 2023 Politics & Constitution
DLUHC prepares to send commissioners into ‘bankrupt’ Birmingham
Gove appoints local government turnaround specialist Max Caller to lead intervention
'A lot of wasted energy': Ex-top civil servants detail turmoil at heart of Johnson's No.10
19 Sep 2023 Politics & Constitution
'A lot of wasted energy': Ex-top civil servants detail turmoil at heart of Johnson's No.10
Officials “sought Buckingham Palace’s support” to bring No.10 into line, documentary claims
Politicising our civil service': Pressure on Humza Yousaf grows over energy stats row
18 Sep 2023 Politics & Constitution
Politicising our civil service': Pressure on Humza Yousaf grows over energy stats row
MSPs call for probe into claims officials “reverse engineered” figures to justify inaccurate claims by Humza Yousaf
DfE top brass under fire over lack of schools-crisis data
12 Sep 2023 Politics & Constitution
DfE top brass under fire over lack of schools-crisis data
“We’re more than a little disappointed,” Public Accounts Committee chair tells Susan Acland-Hood
'Disappointing': Government rejects call to update non-exec director code after cronyism concerns
08 Sep 2023 Politics & Constitution
'Disappointing': Government rejects call to update non-exec director code after cronyism concerns
Government “respectfully does not agree” with PACAC's finding that corporate governance code is not fit for purpose
MP who drunkenly groped civil servant announces resignation
07 Sep 2023 Politics & Constitution
MP who drunkenly groped civil servant announces resignation
Chris Pincher’s decision follows standards commissioner’s report describing his behaviour as “completely inappropriate” and an “abuse of power”
DHSC lacked economic advice to support Covid response, ex-minister says
06 Sep 2023 Politics & Constitution
DHSC lacked economic advice to support Covid response, ex-minister says
Bethell also criticised No.10’s "odd" approach to managing the pandemic, and argued that government should be like Transformers
Education secretary outburst was 'frustration at lack of recognition for civil servants', says minister
05 Sep 2023 Politics & Constitution
Education secretary outburst was 'frustration at lack of recognition for civil servants', says minister
Schools minister says Keegan felt officials' hard work wasn't being acknowledged amid building-safety crisis
Rayner moved to levelling up brief as Keir Starmer shuffles the pack
04 Sep 2023 Politics & Constitution
Rayner moved to levelling up brief as Keir Starmer shuffles the pack
Starmer begins major reshuffle of his shadow cabinet ahead of next year's election
'Madness': Ex-perm sec condemns ministerial churn after latest reshuffle
01 Sep 2023 Politics & Constitution
'Madness': Ex-perm sec condemns ministerial churn after latest reshuffle
Leigh Lewis urges next PM to tackle the "bewildering pace of ministerial change" following latest reshuffle
MPs demand closer cross-departmental working on drugs
31 Aug 2023 Politics & Constitution
MPs demand closer cross-departmental working on drugs
Policy should be made jointly between DHSC and Home Office, report argues
Shapps replaces Wallace as defence secretary in mini-reshuffle
31 Aug 2023 Politics & Constitution
Shapps replaces Wallace as defence secretary in mini-reshuffle
Claire Coutinho becomes secretary of state for energy security and net zero following Shapps’ move
Labour plans Sue Gray-led Whitehall shakeup
22 Aug 2023 Politics & Constitution
Labour plans Sue Gray-led Whitehall shakeup
Former Cabinet Office and DLUHC No.2 is set to start work as Kier Starmer’s chief of staff next month
Pulling out of hub deals cost GPA £1.3m, annual accounts reveal
21 Aug 2023 Politics & Constitution
Pulling out of hub deals cost GPA £1.3m, annual accounts reveal
Birmingham and Newcastle will still get further office developments, government insists
Civil Service Commission seeks four new commissioners
03 Aug 2023 Politics & Constitution
Civil Service Commission seeks four new commissioners
Recruitment watchdog is particularly keen to hear from candidates with expertise in Wales and local government
Rishi Sunak backs probe into Scottish Government’s independence spending
01 Aug 2023 Politics & Constitution
Rishi Sunak backs probe into Scottish Government’s independence spending
Prime minister says 'it's right' for cabinet secretary to look into the role of officials supporting independence minister as new guidance expected within weeks
Perm secs could face duty to plan office moves better
01 Aug 2023 Politics & Constitution
Perm secs could face duty to plan office moves better
MPs call for guidance requiring departmental leaders to properly explore all options before signing off on major schemes
UK ‘faces ban’ on diverting ODA towards domestic asylum-seeker costs
31 Jul 2023 Politics & Constitution
UK ‘faces ban’ on diverting ODA towards domestic asylum-seeker costs
OECD says government’s new Illegal Migration Act could undermine controversial practice, according to reports
MPs demand cross-departmental review of ‘incoherent’ approach to food policy
28 Jul 2023 Politics & Constitution
MPs demand cross-departmental review of ‘incoherent’ approach to food policy
Report calls on Cabinet Office to take action amid supply fears, cost-of-living concerns and obesity crisis
‘Wholly unconvincing’: PACAC chair slams ministers' decision to block release of outcome delivery plans
26 Jul 2023 Politics & Constitution
‘Wholly unconvincing’: PACAC chair slams ministers' decision to block release of outcome delivery plans
William Wragg says “disappointing” choice will reduce ability of parliament and public to scrutinise departments’ plans
Cabinet Office to change guidance used to block experts critical of government from speaking to civil servants
25 Jul 2023 Politics & Constitution
Cabinet Office to change guidance used to block experts critical of government from speaking to civil servants
Ministers should get "serious" and ask independent body to review impartiality advice, academic argues