Departments face new transparency call over ‘unregulated appointments’
30 Apr 2021 Politics & Constitution
Departments face new transparency call over ‘unregulated appointments’
Watchdog Peter Riddell salutes decision to hire Kate Bingham for UK Vaccines Task Force work but says wider phenomenon is a problem
Former Treasury perm sec says Greensill got ‘unusual’ level of access
29 Apr 2021 Politics & Constitution
Former Treasury perm sec says Greensill got ‘unusual’ level of access
MPs told BEIS non-executive director is “wrong man” to probe government’s involvement with collapsed financial firm
‘Fewer than 100’ senior civil servants have second jobs
27 Apr 2021 Politics & Constitution
‘Fewer than 100’ senior civil servants have second jobs
Cab sec says top officials face new transparency regime despite Greensill-driven checks revealing no conflicts of interest
Treasury perm sec: Ex-PM Cameron lobbied me on Greensill
23 Apr 2021 Politics & Constitution
Treasury perm sec: Ex-PM Cameron lobbied me on Greensill
“If a former minister that I’ve worked with asks to talk to me, I will always do that,” says Tom Scholar
PM to set up No.10 unit to strengthen policy delivery
22 Apr 2021 Politics & Constitution
PM to set up No.10 unit to strengthen policy delivery
Blair-style team will be headed up by coronavirus vaccination lead Emily Lawson
‘People should not form the impression there are lots of people doing two jobs’: PM defends civil service as Greensill probes launch
20 Apr 2021 Politics & Constitution
‘People should not form the impression there are lots of people doing two jobs’: PM defends civil service as Greensill probes launch
Johnson praises Whitehall’s pandemic work and says public would be wrong to think moonlighting is common
PACAC launches inquiry into Greensill lobbying scandal
15 Apr 2021 Politics & Constitution
PACAC launches inquiry into Greensill lobbying scandal
Pickles warns of “much wider implications” if Cabinet Office cannot detail approvals given for officials’ second jobs
Soon-to-retire officials stand in the way of tackling 'cronyism', senior MP says amid Greensill scandal
12 Apr 2021 Politics & Constitution
Soon-to-retire officials stand in the way of tackling 'cronyism', senior MP says amid Greensill scandal
Civil servants and politicians nearing the end of government careers "don't want to have the conversation", Bernard Jenkin says
Treasury publishes Rishi Sunak’s text messages to David Cameron in Greensill lobbying row
09 Apr 2021 Politics & Constitution
Treasury publishes Rishi Sunak’s text messages to David Cameron in Greensill lobbying row
Chancellor ‘pushed officials to explore options’ messages reveal, but no support was agreed
Government to trial vaccine passports as PM confirms next stage of lockdown easing
06 Apr 2021 Politics & Constitution
Government to trial vaccine passports as PM confirms next stage of lockdown easing
Possible role for ‘Covid-status certification’ discussed as Cabinet Office review continues
Pressure mounts for probe into Greensill Capital lobbying of Whitehall
31 Mar 2021 Politics & Constitution
Pressure mounts for probe into Greensill Capital lobbying of Whitehall
Standards watchdog insists it “has no remit” to investigate but pledges to feed concerns into ongoing ethics review
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’