Articles

Chatham House urges protection of FCO – while officials reportedly say they are "confident" of a good outcome at the Spending Review

Senior Tory backbencher joins former Treasury solicitor Sir Paul Jenkins in questioning removal of reference to international law

Labour asks the NAO to look into Just Solutions International

Cabinet Office says amended ministerial code continues to account for international conduct – but Sir Paul Jenkins warns of "contempt for the rule of international law"

Diplomatic source says “more likely” move to curb benefits will result in restrictions lasting “months rather than years”

Menna Rawlings went from being HR director in a government department to serving as the UK's high commissioner in Australia – not the most obvious career move. But, as she explains, the two roles have more in the common than you might think...

Defence secretary tells RUSI think tank that the latest cross-government defence strategy will be "positive, assertive and quite properly strategic"

Workforce shrinks by 8,000 posts – with GovCos and privatisations accounting for much of the change

Simon McDonald tells MPs it would be "illogical to focus fire on the FCO" in November's Spending Review

The official view: Clare Short spent six years as Tony Blair's international development secretary. Here she tells us about motivating officials, how her private secretary snuck her into a global trade conference, and why the civil service must pay "fair wages" to its staff

Tory MPs could rebel after government offers concessions on EU referendum vote "purdah" period

Reports suggest ministers set to announce climb-down over EU vote "purdah" rules, after warnings of "rigged" vote from backbench MPs

Catherine Arnold, Britain's ambassador in Mongolia, on promoting 'Brand GB' in east-central Asia – and why challenging perceptions is so important

Colin Marrs speaks to Tom Woodroffe – former adviser to William Hague – about the Foreign Office’s mission to put tackling sexual violence in conflict at the top of the international agenda

The UK’s deputy ambassador to Spain, Daniel Pruce, tells us what it’s like looking after Brits abroad – and why working across departments is so important

Simon McDonald, UK ambassador to Germany since 2010, to take up post as FCO's most senior official from September

When it comes to strengthening their health systems, emerging economies are not short of challenges – and "leapfrogging" can help deliver real change rapidly

Committee chair warns change to rules ahead of Europe vote has "cast a shadow of doubt over the propriety of the process"

Cabinet secretary says proposed purdah rule change is needed to eliminate legal uncertainty for ministers, and says civil service impartiality will not be undermined

Sir Simon Fraser expresses regret over lack of women on shortlist to succeed him as Foreign Office permanent secretary

Outgoing Foreign Office permanent secretary stresses the need for “balance” between the centre of government and individual departments ahead of further reforms

Former health secretary says top civil servant's judgement "open to question" as MPs launch inquiry into "purdah" rule change ahead of EU vote

Permanent secretary Sir Simon Fraser tells CSW the FCO must have “a comparable offer” with other departments

Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman sides with Tory backbenchers in row over waiving neutrality for machinery of government in the run-up to the EU vote