MPs set to probe Whitehall’s understanding of devolution
09 Jun 2023 Politics & Constitution
MPs set to probe Whitehall’s understanding of devolution
PACAC inquiry will examine whether departments have the right skills and knowledge for policymaking that impacts devolved nations
WhatsApp used for coffee orders not key Covid decisions, former minister says
05 Jun 2023 Politics & Constitution
WhatsApp used for coffee orders not key Covid decisions, former minister says
Lord Bethell says big decisions were not taken via the messaging service during the pandemic
Covid Inquiry: Lawyers flag ‘missing year’ in Johnson’s WhatsApp submissions
02 Jun 2023 Politics & Constitution
Covid Inquiry: Lawyers flag ‘missing year’ in Johnson’s WhatsApp submissions
Ex-PM has provided no phone messages from before May 2021, despite “full disclosure” claims
Braverman will not face investigation over speeding row, Sunak decides
24 May 2023 Politics & Constitution
Braverman will not face investigation over speeding row, Sunak decides
PM says Braverman did not break the ministerial code but recognises "perception of impropriety"
Minister defends civil servants who referred Johnson to police over lockdown breach claims
24 May 2023 Politics & Constitution
Minister defends civil servants who referred Johnson to police over lockdown breach claims
Officials could not "sit on" information discovered while preparing for the Covid Inquiry, Chalk says
NICS head calls on Stormont leaders to address 'governance gap'
23 May 2023 Politics & Constitution
NICS head calls on Stormont leaders to address 'governance gap'
Jayne Brady warns budget will "cause enduring harm to public service delivery" as she invites party leaders to discuss power sharing
PM to consult ethics adviser after Braverman ‘asked civil servants for help with speeding fine’
22 May 2023 Politics & Constitution
PM to consult ethics adviser after Braverman ‘asked civil servants for help with speeding fine’
Sunak will also speak to Simon Case about claims the home secretary broke the ministerial code by asking officials to organise a private speed-awareness course
FCDO leaders 'committed' to fixing persistently high bullying, harassment and discrimination, Chisholm says
18 May 2023 Politics & Constitution
FCDO leaders 'committed' to fixing persistently high bullying, harassment and discrimination, Chisholm says
Chief operating officer also reveals progress with Cabinet Office respect and inclusion review and civil service-wide efforts to address bullying and harassment
Cabinet Office urged to review operation of ministers’ private offices
18 May 2023 Politics & Constitution
Cabinet Office urged to review operation of ministers’ private offices
Institute for Government says exercise should explore best-practice amid “strained” relationship between ministers and Whitehall
Officials aren’t ‘reluctant’ to tackle fraud and corruption, Chisholm says
16 May 2023 Politics & Constitution
Officials aren’t ‘reluctant’ to tackle fraud and corruption, Chisholm says
Cabinet Office perm sec tells MPs National Audit Office allegation is “not his experience”
Ministers 'too often make it harder for civil servants to do their job', Gauke says
15 May 2023 Politics & Constitution
Ministers 'too often make it harder for civil servants to do their job', Gauke says
Ministers who are confrontational don't have "reputation for being terribly effective", ex-justice secretary says
Whitehall ‘not moving fast enough’ on product-safety reform
12 May 2023 Politics & Constitution
Whitehall ‘not moving fast enough’ on product-safety reform
Public Accounts Committee chair voices concerns about pace of progress with 2021 review
Recovering £1.1bn in Covid debts will be ‘incredibly hard’, DBT perm sec admits
11 May 2023 Politics & Constitution
Recovering £1.1bn in Covid debts will be ‘incredibly hard’, DBT perm sec admits
“Loosey-goosey” approach to first wave of business grants created a major obstacle to getting cash back, Davies tells MPs
Stop calling civil servants 'lazy, woke and Machiavellian', union chief tells ministers
11 May 2023 Politics & Constitution
Stop calling civil servants 'lazy, woke and Machiavellian', union chief tells ministers
Dave Penman urges Rishi Sunak to show he values government workforce at FDA conference
'Opening up my door to junior civil servants was powerful,' ex-environment secretary says
10 May 2023 Politics & Constitution
'Opening up my door to junior civil servants was powerful,' ex-environment secretary says
George Eustice extols virtues of interrogating officials who have done 'hard graft to understand an issue'
MPs voice fears about Cabinet Office’s latest shared-services drive
05 May 2023 Politics & Constitution
MPs voice fears about Cabinet Office’s latest shared-services drive
Report flags lack of business case, absence contingency plans for funding shortfalls and inconsistent “benefits” calculations
NICS head unpacks impact of power-vacuum budget cuts
05 May 2023 Politics & Constitution
NICS head unpacks impact of power-vacuum budget cuts
Jayne Brady warns there will be some decisions officials cannot legally make in absence of Northern Ireland Executive
Grenfell Inquiry findings ‘won’t be published until 2024’
04 May 2023 Politics & Constitution
Grenfell Inquiry findings ‘won’t be published until 2024’
DLUHC may see draft criticisms before end of this year, however
Anger as NI civil servants are left to find 10% budget cuts
03 May 2023 Politics & Constitution
Anger as NI civil servants are left to find 10% budget cuts
Government ignores call for ministerial directions in absence of power-sharing executive
Cabinet Office pauses inquiry into Sue Gray Labour talks
03 May 2023 Politics & Constitution
Cabinet Office pauses inquiry into Sue Gray Labour talks
Department considering "next steps" while it awaits Acoba's decision on appointment as Starmer's chief of staff
Scottish Government decision making can be 'rushed and unclear', ex-officials warn
03 May 2023 Politics & Constitution
Scottish Government decision making can be 'rushed and unclear', ex-officials warn
Financial rules are sometimes seen as "bureaucratic or optional", former civil servants tell committee
MoJ perm sec set for coronation role
02 May 2023 Politics & Constitution
MoJ perm sec set for coronation role
Antonia Romeo tasked with recording proceedings as Clerk of the Crown in Chancery
DLUHC ducks MPs’ questions on Treasury-imposed spending crackdown
28 Apr 2023 Politics & Constitution
DLUHC ducks MPs’ questions on Treasury-imposed spending crackdown
Committee chair says response begs questions about government’s commitment to levelling up
Fallout from Scholar and Lovegrove sackings should be a lesson for ministers, Sedwill says
27 Apr 2023 Politics & Constitution
Fallout from Scholar and Lovegrove sackings should be a lesson for ministers, Sedwill says
Truss and Kwarteng's errors are a cautionary tale for future leaders, former cabinet secretary tells peers