Inquiry launched into whether politicians should be law officers
18 Feb 2022 Politics & Constitution
Inquiry launched into whether politicians should be law officers
The House of Lords Constitution Committee will examine whether it is appropriate for ministers to hold roles such as attorney general and solicitor general
Scotland's chief medical officer apologises for retweeting 'political messaging'
15 Feb 2022 Politics & Constitution
Scotland's chief medical officer apologises for retweeting 'political messaging'
Gregor Smith was accused of breaking the civil service code
MPs demand answers on 'Office of the Prime Minister' plans
11 Feb 2022 Politics & Constitution
MPs demand answers on 'Office of the Prime Minister' plans
Alex Chisholm urged to clarify new department's "status and what its relationship with the Cabinet Office will be"
Treating civil service as hostile is 'foolish and wrong', ex-PM John Major warns ministers
11 Feb 2022 Politics & Constitution
Treating civil service as hostile is 'foolish and wrong', ex-PM John Major warns ministers
Former Conservative leader also says plans for an Office of the Prime Minister sound “a little like a gimmick”
HMRC looks ‘soft on fraud’ over billions of lost Covid support, MPs warn
11 Feb 2022 Politics & Constitution
HMRC looks ‘soft on fraud’ over billions of lost Covid support, MPs warn
Public Accounts Committee blasts lack of ambition as department expects to write off “at least £4bn” in furlough and SEISS payments
Barclay 'giving up large portion of Cabinet Office brief' to be No.10 chief of staff
09 Feb 2022 Politics & Constitution
Barclay 'giving up large portion of Cabinet Office brief' to be No.10 chief of staff
Stephen Barclay will remain Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster responsibilities after taking on new "all-consuming job"
Government isn’t ‘getting the best’ out of the civil service, Tory grandee says
09 Feb 2022 Politics & Constitution
Government isn’t ‘getting the best’ out of the civil service, Tory grandee says
Levelling-up agenda will require concerted action to mobilise departments, says former Wales secretary John Redwood
Reshuffle: Michael Ellis becomes Cabinet Office minister and Jacob Rees-Mogg takes on government efficiency
08 Feb 2022 Politics & Constitution
Reshuffle: Michael Ellis becomes Cabinet Office minister and Jacob Rees-Mogg takes on government efficiency
Moves follow Stephen Barclay’s appointment as No.10 chief of staff after raft of Downing Street resignations
MPs approve Gisela Stuart for civil service commissioner role despite ‘reservations’
07 Feb 2022 Politics & Constitution
MPs approve Gisela Stuart for civil service commissioner role despite ‘reservations’
PACAC members raised concerns about her suitability for the role and her “perceived impartiality”
Latest civil service & public affairs moves – February 7
07 Feb 2022 Politics & Constitution
Latest civil service & public affairs moves – February 7
New appointments in the civil service, UK politics, and public affairs, via our colleagues at Dods People
Prime minister hires new aides after quadruple resignation
07 Feb 2022 Politics & Constitution
Prime minister hires new aides after quadruple resignation
Boris Johnson has appointed a new chief of staff and director of communications
Gisela Stuart eyes recruitment shake-up as first civil service commissioner
04 Feb 2022 Politics & Constitution
Gisela Stuart eyes recruitment shake-up as first civil service commissioner
Former MP and Vote Leave chair sets out stall as ministers’ preferred choice to lead Civil Service Commission
Ministers ‘must protect civil service impartiality’ in NI Protocol dispute
03 Feb 2022 Politics & Constitution
Ministers ‘must protect civil service impartiality’ in NI Protocol dispute
Union says Northern Ireland Civil Service officials are at risk of “inevitable accusations of politicisation” in row over Irish Sea border checks
Partygate: Ex-cab sec says Boris Johnson is demeaning the office of prime minister
01 Feb 2022 Politics & Constitution
Partygate: Ex-cab sec says Boris Johnson is demeaning the office of prime minister
Andrew Turnbull blasts series of “dog ate my homework” excuses over Downing Street lockdown get-togethers
Johnson to set up new prime minister's department in response to Gray report
31 Jan 2022 Politics & Constitution
Johnson to set up new prime minister's department in response to Gray report
New department will be led by a perm sec and will tackle “fragmented” leadership structures, PM pledges
Met launches investigation into No.10 parties during Covid restrictions
25 Jan 2022 Politics & Constitution
Met launches investigation into No.10 parties during Covid restrictions
Police commissioner Cressida Dick said a number of events in government buildings had breached the threshold for criminal investigation
Greensill report a 'cynical attempt to distract from real issues', Jeremy Heywood's widow says
24 Jan 2022 Politics & Constitution
Greensill report a 'cynical attempt to distract from real issues', Jeremy Heywood's widow says
In a new chapter of the late cabinet secretary's biography, Suzanne Heywood details her attempts to give evidence to the Boardman review
No.10 accused of seeking to ‘blackmail and intimidate’ MPs trying to topple PM
20 Jan 2022 Politics & Constitution
No.10 accused of seeking to ‘blackmail and intimidate’ MPs trying to topple PM
PACAC chair William Wragg says government had threatened to withdraw cash from constituencies of MPs suspected of plotting to remove Johnson over Partygate
MPs to forcibly publish report on benefits system after ‘repeated obstruction’ from DWP
17 Jan 2022 Politics & Constitution
MPs to forcibly publish report on benefits system after ‘repeated obstruction’ from DWP
Work and pensions secretary Thérèse Coffey has repeatedly refused to publish the research
Boris Johnson admits going to 'BYOB' Downing Street garden party
12 Jan 2022 Politics & Constitution
Boris Johnson admits going to 'BYOB' Downing Street garden party
PM accused of "deceit and deception" after claiming he thought May 2020 party "was a work event"
PM’s standards adviser pushes for ‘considerably greater authority’ after flat refurb row
12 Jan 2022 Politics & Constitution
PM’s standards adviser pushes for ‘considerably greater authority’ after flat refurb row
Lord Geidt also says Cabinet Office’s approach to his investigation “shook his confidence” in the system
Defra accused of 'blind optimism' over post-Brexit farming plans
11 Jan 2022 Politics & Constitution
Defra accused of 'blind optimism' over post-Brexit farming plans
Department has given "no detail" on how payment schemes will work, PAC says
Downing Street flat probe: ‘Grave concern’ over Cabinet Office failings
07 Jan 2022 Politics & Constitution
Downing Street flat probe: ‘Grave concern’ over Cabinet Office failings
Johnson pledges independent standards adviser will get better support and more powers after debacle over undisclosed messages
Blair feared ‘regulation nightmare’ from Home Office race equality drive
05 Jan 2022 Politics & Constitution
Blair feared ‘regulation nightmare’ from Home Office race equality drive
Shelved white paper would have called on departments to put race equality “at the heart” of departmental policymaking