Analysis All
Scottish Government launches evaluation-and-appraisal centre
27 May Analysis
Scottish Government launches evaluation-and-appraisal centre
Creation of the centre recognises key role the two processes play in effective decision making, minister says
Departments getting better at evaluating major projects
24 Apr Analysis
Departments getting better at evaluating major projects
One-third of major projects now have a high quality evaluation plan in place, compared to just 8% in 2019
Commercial All
Industrial strategy: Civil service reforms aim to build 'enduring partnership' with business
23 Jun Civil Service Reform
Industrial strategy: Civil service reforms aim to build 'enduring partnership' with business
Strategy contains a series of changes to improve how government works with business, including building up commercial skills and better coordination between departments
Outsourced staff accept 'groundbreaking' pay and benefits offer
12 Jun Commercial
Outsourced staff accept 'groundbreaking' pay and benefits offer
PCS lauds "first of its kind" pay package for outsourced facilities management contracts in the civil service
Digital, Data & Technology All
First app version of GOV.UK website launches
01 Jul Digital, Data & Technology
First app version of GOV.UK website launches
App aims to take "crucial services a step closer to citizens in a bid to cut life-admin”
Devereux review highlights ‘deep seated issues’ at ONS
27 Jun Digital, Data & Technology
Devereux review highlights ‘deep seated issues’ at ONS
National statistician job and perm sec role will be separated as part of government’s response
Operational Delivery All
SR25: MoJ gets funding injection for new prison places and probation services
12 Jun Justice & Home Affairs
SR25: MoJ gets funding injection for new prison places and probation services
£7bn will be used to create 14,000 prison places by 2031, while probation services will get up to £700m per year by 2028‑29 to implement sentencing review recommendations
MoJ sets up new probation and reoffending directorate
02 Jun HR
MoJ sets up new probation and reoffending directorate
Up to £100,000 on offer for director to lead work on probation policy and community and reoffending policy
Fraud, Error Debt & Grants All
SR25: HMRC gets £1.7bn for big increase in compliance and debt management staff
12 Jun Economics
SR25: HMRC gets £1.7bn for big increase in compliance and debt management staff
Department also gets £500m "to make HMRC a truly digital-first organisation"
HMRC loses £47m in ‘organised crime’ attack on customer accounts
05 Jun Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
HMRC loses £47m in ‘organised crime’ attack on customer accounts
Thousands of people are being told their accounts have been locked down over fraud fears
HR All
Emran Mian named as new DSIT perm sec
01 Jul HR
Emran Mian named as new DSIT perm sec
Digital technologies and telecoms DG will replace outgoing boss Sarah Munby
MHCLG seeks 10% headcount reduction over SR25 period
01 Jul HR
MHCLG seeks 10% headcount reduction over SR25 period
Minister says the department will target back-office costs and aim to build a "leaner, more efficient, and highly skilled workforce"
Legal All
Ex-No.10 Policy Unit head Munira Mirza to play key role in think tank targeting 'Whitehall bureaucracy'
26 Jun Civil Service Reform
Ex-No.10 Policy Unit head Munira Mirza to play key role in think tank targeting 'Whitehall bureaucracy'
Fix Britain says "HR culture and bureaucracy of Whitehall" and rise in judicial reviews are among "factors that prevent functionality" in government
Civil servants ‘can resign’ if they strongly oppose Gaza policy
10 Jun Foreign Affairs
Civil servants ‘can resign’ if they strongly oppose Gaza policy
FCDO perm sec tells hundreds of officials who raised concerns that “quitting is an honourable course”
Project Delivery All
Mega projects: Delivery bodies given freedom to set pay for specialist roles
20 Jun Civil Service Reform
Mega projects: Delivery bodies given freedom to set pay for specialist roles
Government to implement "bespoke" approach to governance and funding for current and future schemes
Keir Starmer asks cab sec to examine damning HS2 review's implications for civil service
19 Jun Civil Service Reform
Keir Starmer asks cab sec to examine damning HS2 review's implications for civil service
Wormald to assess infrastructure delivery report and consider whether an investigation is needed
Property & Estates All
MoD and NHS to open joint medical centre at Catterick Garrison
25 Jun Security & Defence
MoD and NHS to open joint medical centre at Catterick Garrison
Catterick Integrated Care Centre will treat military personnel and their families as well as members of the public
Hybrid working: 60% in office is Scottish Government’s ‘ultimate aim’
24 Jun Civil Service Reform
Hybrid working: 60% in office is Scottish Government’s ‘ultimate aim’
FoI documents reveal Scottish Government's office and home-working plans
Communications All
‘Unworkable’: Former senior civil servants question new public speaking rules
27 Jun Civil Service Reform
‘Unworkable’: Former senior civil servants question new public speaking rules
Former Ofsted chief and outgoing IFS director raise concerns about the new guidance
New rules on officials speaking in public will have 'chilling effect' – IfG
26 Jun Civil Service Reform
New rules on officials speaking in public will have 'chilling effect' – IfG
Think tank says internal government guidance banning senior officials from speaking at certain events will lead to worse policy and decision making
Finance All
Treasury working with departments to build integrated finance system
24 Jun Civil Service Reform
Treasury working with departments to build integrated finance system
Tech will give HMT and departments real-time shared understanding of their performance against budgets and objectives
‘Radically’ shorter Green Book will support place-based budgeting and transformational change
11 Jun Civil Service Reform
‘Radically’ shorter Green Book will support place-based budgeting and transformational change
Treasury announces results of review into its guidance on appraising policies and projects
Science & Engineering All
DESNZ seeks 'exemplary science communicator' to become chief scientist
21 May Energy & Environment
DESNZ seeks 'exemplary science communicator' to become chief scientist
Successful candidate will succeed Paul Monks, who is leaving for the British Geological Survey
Departments to set 10-year budgets for research and development
20 May Science & Engineering
Departments to set 10-year budgets for research and development
Science minister Patrick Vallance confirms plans to support long-term funding for certain R&D activities
Policy All
Vision and trust: Why open government is critical to achieving ministers' missions
30 Jun Civil Service Reform
Vision and trust: Why open government is critical to achieving ministers' missions
Government needs public support for its ambitious missions in an age of declining trust. Another model is needed
John Major calls for appointments watchdog to get boosted powers
19 Jun HR
John Major calls for appointments watchdog to get boosted powers
Former PM also says senior civil servants should get tougher vetting before being handed peerages
Energy & Environment All
Ex-civil servant Peter Unwin returns as Natural England deputy chair
02 Jun Energy & Environment
Ex-civil servant Peter Unwin returns as Natural England deputy chair
Peter Unwin's four-decade civil service career includes a stint as acting perm sec at Defra
From the archives: Peter Unwin on reaching the Kyoto climate change agreement, the problem with super-departments and how best to reform government
02 Jun Civil Service Reform
From the archives: Peter Unwin on reaching the Kyoto climate change agreement, the problem with super-departments and how best to reform government

The outgoing chief executive of The Whitehall & Industry Group – and a former senior civil servant in several departments – sits down with Suzannah Brecknell to discuss international negotiations, super departments, and the perils of hierarchies