Hancock speaks up for civil servants over ‘blocker’ accusations
19 Feb Politics & Constitution
Hancock speaks up for civil servants over ‘blocker’ accusations
Former health secretary says initiatives usually fail because of opposition from the PM or secretaries of state
‘Incoherent approach’ to sentencing blamed for prisons crisis
18 Feb Politics & Constitution
‘Incoherent approach’ to sentencing blamed for prisons crisis
Gauke review says “knee-jerk response” of locking criminals up for longer without evidence of any benefit is a major factor
Government to explore potential for ‘wider reform’ of inquiries system
14 Feb Politics & Constitution
Government to explore potential for ‘wider reform’ of inquiries system
Cabinet Office sets out approach to reform in response to House of Lords report
Treasury perm sec pledges probe into OBR forecast 'leak'
13 Feb Politics & Constitution
Treasury perm sec pledges probe into OBR forecast 'leak'
James Bowler tells MPs release of data not intended for publication is "deeply unwelcome"
Top health officials ‘have not been preparing NHS for the future’, MPs say
29 Jan Politics & Constitution
Top health officials ‘have not been preparing NHS for the future’, MPs say
PAC report says DHSC and NHS officials lack ambition, fresh thinking and readiness to be radical
Scottish Conservatives criticise 'spiralling' civil service costs
28 Jan Politics & Constitution
Scottish Conservatives criticise 'spiralling' civil service costs
Craig Hoy says Scottish Government civil service wage bill has risen by 10% in the past two and a half years
Civil service 'incompetence' to blame for rising debt, ex-minister says
27 Jan Politics & Constitution
Civil service 'incompetence' to blame for rising debt, ex-minister says
Lord Agnew says failures of the state are "blocking economic growth" and "eroding our status as a first-world economy"
PCS renews call for civil-service-wide collective bargaining on pay
24 Jan Politics & Constitution
PCS renews call for civil-service-wide collective bargaining on pay
Union says Labour's Employment Rights Bill reforms don't go far enough
Treasury perm sec predicts NAO will reject next Whole of Government Accounts
24 Jan Politics & Constitution
Treasury perm sec predicts NAO will reject next Whole of Government Accounts
Missing data likely to mean 2023-24 figures will fail to achieve sign-off, just like 2022-23 accounts
PAC chair defends criticism of HMRC’s customer service approach
23 Jan Politics & Constitution
PAC chair defends criticism of HMRC’s customer service approach
Committee chair and HMRC perm sec exchange letters over scathing report
MPs question HMRC's status as a non-ministerial department
20 Jan Politics & Constitution
MPs question HMRC's status as a non-ministerial department
Minister James Murray insists he wants tax agency to "take more risks" and get out of its "comfort zone"
Tories seek investigation into claim Angela Rayner asked officials to help her move
20 Jan Politics & Constitution
Tories seek investigation into claim Angela Rayner asked officials to help her move
Opposition also make ministerial code breach claims over David Lammy and Steve Reed speeches
HMRC 'could get further headcount boost' to cut tax gap, minister says
17 Jan Politics & Constitution
HMRC 'could get further headcount boost' to cut tax gap, minister says
James Murray tells MPs department was under-staffed by the previous government
Treasury minister resigns after PM's standards adviser completes investigation
15 Jan Politics & Constitution
Treasury minister resigns after PM's standards adviser completes investigation
Laurie Magnus says Tulip Siddiq did not breach code but that Keir Starmer may "want to consider her ongoing responsibilities" in letter to PM
Departments get better at responding to parliamentary questions on time
14 Jan Politics & Constitution
Departments get better at responding to parliamentary questions on time
However, concerns raised at continued deterioration of Defra's parliamentary question response rate
Zero civil service home-working 'should be the baseline' – Lord Maude
10 Jan Politics & Constitution
Zero civil service home-working 'should be the baseline' – Lord Maude
At the other end of the spectrum, Lords debate sees former Sunday Telegraph editor call for 20% office working
Treasury minister refers herself to PM's standards adviser
06 Jan Politics & Constitution
Treasury minister refers herself to PM's standards adviser
PM says Tulip Siddiq “has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser”
Peter Mandelson picked for key US ambassador role
23 Dec 2024 Politics & Constitution
Peter Mandelson picked for key US ambassador role
Starmer says Lord Mandelson "will bring unrivalled experience to the role" and take partnership with US "from strength to strength"
Sue Gray to get life peerage
20 Dec 2024 Politics & Constitution
Sue Gray to get life peerage
Former deputy PM Thérèse Coffey also on 38-strong list of soon-to-be House of Lords members
Starmer acknowledges skills challenges facing civil service
20 Dec 2024 Politics & Constitution
Starmer acknowledges skills challenges facing civil service
PM tells MPs he's "focused" on delivering more technology into government
Ex-ministers rapped over appointments failings
19 Dec 2024 Politics & Constitution
Ex-ministers rapped over appointments failings
James Heappey and Huw Merriman reported to Cabinet Office for failing to get watchdog approval for new jobs
MPs should not be expected to be 'saints', Standards Committee chair says
12 Dec 2024 Politics & Constitution
MPs should not be expected to be 'saints', Standards Committee chair says
Punishments for MPs breaking minor parliamentary rules to be less “severe”,
Meg Hillier elected Liaison Committee chair
11 Dec 2024 Politics & Constitution
Meg Hillier elected Liaison Committee chair
Former PAC chair, who currently leads the Treasury Committee, picked for "supercommitte"' role
Starmer asks civil service to be 'emboldened to upset the apple cart'
10 Dec 2024 Politics & Constitution
Starmer asks civil service to be 'emboldened to upset the apple cart'
Email to civil servants promises that ministers will provide the leadership officials need for delivery