Articles

They play an increasingly important part in parliament’s scrutiny of government and can inspire dread in even the most experienced perm sec. Forty years on from the creation of the modern select committee on 25 June 1979, Richard Vize looks at how they affect policy – and the lives of civil servants

Former head of the home civil service and ex-cabinet secretary say nation is simply not ready for 29 March Brexit

The Treasury solicitor from 2006 to 2014 died on Monday 26 February. His successor at the Government Legal Department and the former cabinet secretary pay tribute to this exemplary civil servant and friend

International trade secretary pushes back against Lord O'Donnell and Sir Andrew Cahn's House mag and CSW comments on the work of his new ministry

Britain's former top civil servant argues that we must “push back” deadline for achieving budget surplus in light of post-referendum economic uncertainty

Five years ago, Gus O’Donnell was a key player in the delicate transition to a coalition government. Peter Hennessy asks the former cabinet secretary what we might expect after next month’s vote

Ben Yong and Robert Hazell's book on special advisers is a 'must read' for ministers,  spads and civil servants, says former cabinet secretary Lord O'Donnell