MPs vote to extend Covid powers as Hancock admits they may roll over into 2022
26 Mar 2021 Politics & Constitution
MPs vote to extend Covid powers as Hancock admits they may roll over into 2022
Health secretary says he "cannot answer" if the Coronavirus Act will be retired in September
Gove sets out plans to boost civil service cooperation across UK
26 Mar 2021 Politics & Constitution
Gove sets out plans to boost civil service cooperation across UK
Fast Stream will offer more places in devolved nations while secondment scheme will help officials experience different administrations
'No dilution' of ethical standards in government, Sedwill insists
22 Mar 2021 Politics & Constitution
'No dilution' of ethical standards in government, Sedwill insists
Former cabinet secretary admits some decisions during Covid pandemic may not stand up to scrutiny but says controversies go in "cycles"
Dido Harding appointment may expose regulatory gaps says First Civil Service Commissioner
17 Mar 2021 Politics & Constitution
Dido Harding appointment may expose regulatory gaps says First Civil Service Commissioner
Ian Watmore tells MPs there is a case for reviewing whether NHS Test and Trace role handed to Conservative peer demonstrates “cracks” in the system
Ministerial conduct probes shouldn’t need PM's go-ahead, Patel report author says
11 Mar 2021 Politics & Constitution
Ministerial conduct probes shouldn’t need PM's go-ahead, Patel report author says
Independent adviser who quit after finding home secretary bullied staff says new freedoms would help PM and cabinet secretary
Acoba chief Pickles sets out proposals for beefed-up scrutiny of post-government jobs
26 Feb 2021 Politics & Constitution
Acoba chief Pickles sets out proposals for beefed-up scrutiny of post-government jobs
Boosted transparency and spectre of honours impact form part of anti-corruption watchdog’s drive
Gove and Hancock rebuked for failing to appear before Covid-19 probe
24 Feb 2021 Politics & Constitution
Gove and Hancock rebuked for failing to appear before Covid-19 probe
PACAC chair William Wragg says cabinet ministers should not “shy away from scrutiny”
Chief Brexit negotiator David Frost handed cabinet post
18 Feb 2021 Politics & Constitution
Chief Brexit negotiator David Frost handed cabinet post
Conservative peer will become Cabinet Office minister tasked with overseeing future EU relations
Cabinet Office insists FOI ‘clearing house’ does not dictate to ministries
11 Feb 2021 Politics & Constitution
Cabinet Office insists FOI ‘clearing house’ does not dictate to ministries
Department denies information requests from journalists are handled differently to others but admits to preparing for “possible media interest”
Appointments watchdog raps ex-minister for failing to report new job
08 Feb 2021 Politics & Constitution
Appointments watchdog raps ex-minister for failing to report new job
Stephen Hammond told panel he believed clearance was only required for roles connected with recent departmental responsibilities
Theresa May accuses Boris Johnson of ‘abandoning’ UK’s ‘moral leadership’
20 Jan 2021 Politics & Constitution
Theresa May accuses Boris Johnson of ‘abandoning’ UK’s ‘moral leadership’
Former prime minister says decision to row back on development aid commitments and threat to break international law in Internal Market Bill damaged UK’s credibility
Ministers don’t understand ‘depth of anger’ on civil service pay
15 Dec 2020 Politics & Constitution
Ministers don’t understand ‘depth of anger’ on civil service pay
Parliamentary debate comes as Cabinet Office confirms pay freeze will apply to SCS
Government sets out tougher coronavirus tiers for England ahead of lifting lockdown
24 Nov 2020 Politics & Constitution
Government sets out tougher coronavirus tiers for England ahead of lifting lockdown
Prime minister Boris Johnson warns that Christmas won't be normal this year but urges a ‘push to spring’
Civil servants face renewed pay freeze as Treasury signals restraint
20 Nov 2020 Politics & Constitution
Civil servants face renewed pay freeze as Treasury signals restraint
"Clap for carers" rhetoric would ring hollow if followed by new restrictions, says unions
Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain leave Downing Street after No.10 power struggle
15 Nov 2020 Politics & Constitution
Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain leave Downing Street after No.10 power struggle
Special advisers had been key parts of prime minister Boris Johnson’s inner circle
Failure to publish Patel bullying report is damaging public trust, warns standards watchdog
12 Nov 2020 Politics & Constitution
Failure to publish Patel bullying report is damaging public trust, warns standards watchdog
Committee on Standards in Public Life chair says allegations of bullying at the Home Office need to be seen to have been “properly and independently investigated”
MoJ launches review that could lead to Parole Board overhaul
22 Oct 2020 Politics & Constitution
MoJ launches review that could lead to Parole Board overhaul
Review is the “culmination of work to examine and reform the parole system" that followed Worboys case
Truss names preferred candidate to chair Equality and Human Rights Commission
19 Oct 2020 Politics & Constitution
Truss names preferred candidate to chair Equality and Human Rights Commission
Former Lib Dem peer Baroness Kishwer Falkner’s appointment is subject to a pre-appointment scrutiny hearing in parliament next month
‘We have covered all bases’: Treasury rejects request for extra cash from areas in high Covid restrictions
15 Oct 2020 Politics & Constitution
‘We have covered all bases’: Treasury rejects request for extra cash from areas in high Covid restrictions
Statement comes as it is announced London and Essex will move into tier 2 restrictions this weekend
Coronavirus restrictions: Labour calls for ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown as local leaders demand Treasury support
14 Oct 2020 Politics & Constitution
Coronavirus restrictions: Labour calls for ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown as local leaders demand Treasury support
New three-tier restrictions coming into effect today amid calls for further tightening of rules
Government spokesperson for televised briefings named
09 Oct 2020 Politics & Constitution
Government spokesperson for televised briefings named
Current media spad to Rishi Sunak set to take on high-profile post
Levelling-up agenda at risk from Brexit and Covid-19 recovery work, IFS warns
02 Oct 2020 Politics & Constitution
Levelling-up agenda at risk from Brexit and Covid-19 recovery work, IFS warns
Think tank says drive to fix regional inequalities will compete with “Build Back Better” coronavirus recovery and end of transition period
Minister rejects call for written directions to be expanded to policy amid Internal Market Bill concerns
18 Sep 2020 Politics & Constitution
Minister rejects call for written directions to be expanded to policy amid Internal Market Bill concerns
Civil servants told that go-ahead from new cabinet secretary is only assurance they need to work on controversial legislation
Education secretary fails to back officials over A-Level grades row
17 Sep 2020 Politics & Constitution
Education secretary fails to back officials over A-Level grades row
Gavin Williamson would not be drawn on whether he was happy with the advice he had been given by senior DfE officials