Articles

Amid all the drama of last week’s arrival of a new government, it was easy to miss the launch of the Civil Service Workforce Plan. But, as Suzannah Brecknell explains, it’s a document that could have major implications for the future of the organisation as it grapples with the big challenges ahead

Losing your sight should not stand in the way of your career and it’s time to end the negative connotations around being blind, according to the Home Office's Adrian Treharne

Drawn up by four civil servants in their spare time, the new digital Mentor Match service has won the backing of some of Whitehall’s top figures. Here the scheme’s founders explain how they did it — and how they hope to tear down the “barriers to entry” for officials looking for new skills and challenges

Exclusive: Former Home Office permanent secretary says fall in the number of female permanent secretaries is “very disappointing” – and says lack of senior women in the Treasury could be to blame

Cabinet Office minister Oliver Letwin says he will give thought to "serious" suggestion of publishing more info on permanent secretary interviews, amid criticism of lack of female leaders

The success of innovative schemes from different parts of the world proves that diversity in government isn’t optional, it’s essential, argues Joshua Chambers

Janet Hill, civil service disability inclusion chief, discusses the innovative programmes that are helping disabled colleagues reach their full potential

From the CSW editor: A commitment to improving workplace adjustments for officials with disabilities is welcome. But possible discrimination is a real cause for concern

CSW readers react to Labour's perm sec quotas plan – and the Cabinet Office's proposal to find out more about the backgrounds of Fast Stream applicants

Exclusive: Opposition backs quotas on interview shortlists to address "glacial" pace on diversity in Whitehall's highest tier

Former cabinet minister Lord Waldegrave warns Cabinet Office against “actively seeking to damage” independent schools with plan to find out more about civil service applicants' backgrounds

Civil service diversity champion wants more info on levels of awareness and take-up of workplace adjustments among disabled officials – and says tackling bullying and harassment will require a change in culture

Since CSW last spoke to the Department for Transport’s permanent secretary Philip Rutnam he has taken on the role of disability champion for the civil service. Here, he talks to Suzannah Brecknell about the importance of skilling up his department and his aspirations for helping all staff reach their potential

Shadow Cabinet Office minister Louise Haigh tells CSW that government must provide more info on the perm sec appointments process, as final vacant perm sec post is filled by a man

Appointment of new leader at the energy department comes after the Competition and Markets Authority called for a "reset" of government's relationship with energy suppliers

MPs warn key details on new Equality and Human Rights Commission chairman "were not forthcoming" as they weighed up conflict of interest concerns

The dearth of top female leaders shows that Whitehall must not get complacent on gender equality

Pinsent Masons lawyer and former Stonewall chair David Isaac to become chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) after promising to step back from decisions around government contracts

Union analysis of Cabinet Office data on more than 280,000 officials highlights "statistically significant" differences in how different groups are treated

Shadow Cabinet Office minister Louise Haigh says ministers "like to talk the talk about diversity"

Whitehall jargon is often the stuff of parody — and at the 2015 Civil Service Awards, David Cameron introduced a new award for clarity in civil service communications. Max Goldbart talks to the winner, Oli Carter, to find out how he did it

MPs says there is concern over FCO's focus in spite of boost for human rights spending – but the department says human rights will "always be a central part of our diplomacy"

Departments to spearhead use of HR metrics, and target apprenticeships and internships at working class kids, as Cabinet Office updates its diversity Talent Action Plan

“There is a gender diversity problem in the digital industry,” says the Government Digital Service executive director