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
If the government is serious about closing the SME gap, it must go beyond ticking boxes and embrace structural change
29 May Commercial
If the government is serious about closing the SME gap, it must go beyond ticking boxes and embrace structural change
To shift the dial on SME involvement in public procurement, it's time for departments to take a more intentional approach
Home Office seeks 'AI infrastructure delivery partner'
28 May Commercial
Home Office seeks 'AI infrastructure delivery partner'
Multimillion-pound contract will support creation of a centralised service to help guide officials through the process of deploying AI
Digital, Data & Technology All
Generative AI ‘could help with almost 50% of civil servants’ work’
04 Jun Digital, Data & Technology
Generative AI ‘could help with almost 50% of civil servants’ work’
Research explores potential for technology to assist officials – as DSIT lauds Microsoft trial
DSIT takes on responsibility for government cybersecurity
04 Jun Civil Service Reform
DSIT takes on responsibility for government cybersecurity
Starmer says the move will “strengthen technology resilience and policymaking across the public sector"
Operational Delivery All
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
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
Fraud, Error Debt & Grants All
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
DWP taskforce hits £1bn savings milestone by spotting overpayments
27 May Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
DWP taskforce hits £1bn savings milestone by spotting overpayments
Universal Credit Targeted Case Review team is projected to save £13.6bn by 2030 by correcting errors
HR All
Derided as the Frankenstein’s monster of Whitehall: Will Labour really abolish DCMS?
05 Jun Civil Service Reform
Derided as the Frankenstein’s monster of Whitehall: Will Labour really abolish DCMS?
As briefings against DCMS and culture secretary Lisa Nandy abound, Sophie Church and Sienna Rodgers explore why the department is so embattled and what its future might look like
‘Regrettable losses’ in senior civil service jump to 83%
05 Jun Civil Service Reform
‘Regrettable losses’ in senior civil service jump to 83%
Senior Salaries Review Body warns “excessive churn means too many posts are occupied by individuals still building their expertise and key networks”
Legal All
'Years of neglect' to blame for Legal Aid Agency data breach, minister says
03 Jun Digital, Data & Technology
'Years of neglect' to blame for Legal Aid Agency data breach, minister says
Cyberattack was enabled by the "fragility of the LAA’s IT systems", Sarah Sackman says
Attorney General’s Office names new deputy head
28 May HR
Attorney General’s Office names new deputy head
Michael Padfield previously led AGO’s domestic law team and served as general counsel in No.10
Project Delivery All
Former DfT director appointed as NISTA chief exec
17 Apr HR
Former DfT director appointed as NISTA chief exec
Becky Wood, who joins the new body from EY, was senior responsible officer for Crossrail and other major rail projects
Continuing overspends on major capital projects in Northern Ireland dubbed 'unacceptable'
08 Apr Local & Devolved
Continuing overspends on major capital projects in Northern Ireland dubbed 'unacceptable'
Urgent review of NICS Board needed, NI Public Accounts Committee says as £3bn overspend revealed
Property & Estates All
The government needs a workforce plan to inform civil service relocation
21 May Civil Service Reform
The government needs a workforce plan to inform civil service relocation
Last week brought major announcements about job relocations and office closures, but it will be a false start unless the government creates clarity and coherence out of the patchwork of civil service offices across the country
MoD breaks ground on site for 1,100 staff in Blackpool
20 May Security & Defence
MoD breaks ground on site for 1,100 staff in Blackpool
The Talbot Gateway site will be the new home for Defence Business Services in the region
Communications All
Perm sec-level job created to lead government comms as Simon Baugh departs
20 May Civil Service Reform
Perm sec-level job created to lead government comms as Simon Baugh departs
Director of government comms will “play pivotal role in overseeing major reform of how UK government communicates with the public”, advert says
Fact checker defends ex-perm sec over pension-reform claims
13 May Communications
Fact checker defends ex-perm sec over pension-reform claims
Full Fact says claims about Sir Robert Devereux being "responsible for increasing the state pension age to 67" are missing context
Finance All
OBR chief in line for another five-year term
02 Jun Economy
OBR chief in line for another five-year term
Chancellor Rachel Reeves backs Richard Hughes to serve as watchdog chair until 2030
UK aid is ten times more scrutinised than other government spending
12 May Finance
UK aid is ten times more scrutinised than other government spending
While aid-spending agencies make up only 1.3% of UK government spending, they are the subject of 12.5% of all government evaluations
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
Government needs to give more clarity on 'missions', MPs told
21 May Civil Service Reform
Government needs to give more clarity on 'missions', MPs told
Inquiry hears doubts that departments are configured to deliver on Starmer’s cross-cutting ambitions
Should we be worried about the decline of parliamentary scrutiny?
09 May Brexit
Should we be worried about the decline of parliamentary scrutiny?
Complaints about declining standards of government scrutiny by parliament have been commonplace in recent times – particularly during the troubled years of Brexit and Covid. But how can such claims be objectively assessed, and crucially, have scrutiny standards since recovered?
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
Defra announces closure of Newcastle office
15 May Energy & Environment
Defra announces closure of Newcastle office
Plans to shut Lancaster House hub come after upgrade and expansion