'Test-and-learn' approaches among proposed new additions to evaluation handbook
16 Apr Analysis

'Test-and-learn' approaches among proposed new additions to evaluation handbook

Evaluation Task Force seeks feedback from across government on potential updates to the Magenta Book
by Tevye Markson
Departments getting better at evaluating major projects
24 Apr Analysis
Departments getting better at evaluating major projects
Treasury perm sec pledges probe into OBR forecast 'leak'
13 Feb Analysis
Treasury perm sec pledges probe into OBR forecast 'leak'
Precedent-setting neurodiversity initiative among winners at Analysis in Government Awards
28 Jan Analysis
Precedent-setting neurodiversity initiative among winners at Analysis in Government Awards
Why the policy profession must embrace AI
13 Feb Analysis
Why the policy profession must embrace AI
Michael Padfield from i.AI sets out how a new range of tools are driving better strategy, greater democracy and improved delivery
Evaluation Task Force flags new guidance on AI tools
28 Jan Analysis
Evaluation Task Force flags new guidance on AI tools
Supplement to Treasury's Magenta Book aims to "enhance safety and confidence" in departments' adoption of new technologies
GMPP: Number of red-rated major government projects grows
20 Jan Analysis
GMPP: Number of red-rated major government projects grows
High inflation, challenging net-zero targets and skills shortages among causes of increase in red-rated major projects
Inaugural DBT analysis prize winner announced
20 Dec 2024 Analysis
Inaugural DBT analysis prize winner announced
Perm sec says officials will use research "to help unblock barriers through policy as part of wider plan to drive economic growth"
Defra seeks new chief scientific adviser
03 Dec 2024 Analysis
Defra seeks new chief scientific adviser
Department offering a salary of £149,000 for expanded director-general level role
Winter fuel payment cut will push 50,000 pensioners into poverty, DWP admits
20 Nov 2024 Analysis
Winter fuel payment cut will push 50,000 pensioners into poverty, DWP admits
Kendall meanwhile snubs call for "more detailed assessment" of poverty impacts, including on different protected groups
Ex-DfE data chief: new government’s top priority must be overhauling data strategy
09 Aug 2024 Analysis
Ex-DfE data chief: new government’s top priority must be overhauling data strategy
Opening up data access for civil servants – and helping them truly understand the different facets of data – could exponentially increase efficiencies across departments
MPs urge reform to boost cross-departmental data sharing
28 May 2024 Analysis
MPs urge reform to boost cross-departmental data sharing
Treasury urged to incentivise progress as current Cabinet Office initiatives are dubbed "self-evidently insufficient"
Productivity puzzle corner: Can you dig it?
22 Apr 2024 Analysis
Productivity puzzle corner: Can you dig it?
In this third instalment of this series on public sector productivity it’s time to turn to some definitions. Which are very simple. And very, very, complicated
Cabinet Office signs up UCL consultancy to evaluate Fast Stream
08 Apr 2024 Analysis
Cabinet Office signs up UCL consultancy to evaluate Fast Stream
University consultancy will assess if Fast Stream "improves outcomes"
Productivity puzzle corner: what is public work?
05 Apr 2024 Analysis
Productivity puzzle corner: what is public work?
In a new series of articles, Professor Colin Talbot will explore public sector productivity in the UK. This issue is increasingly on the agenda of both main contenders as they vie to form the next government and is something that will likely occupy civil servants whoever wins
DfT offers £120k for next chief analyst
03 Apr 2024 Analysis
DfT offers £120k for next chief analyst
Successful candidate will lead department's community of nearly 400 analysts
'What does it take to do my job well? A curious, analytical mindset': DBT's Ben Cropper on challenging perceptions and crossing disciplinary barriers
02 Apr 2024 Analysis
'What does it take to do my job well? A curious, analytical mindset': DBT's Ben Cropper on challenging perceptions and crossing disciplinary barriers
CSW meets Ben Cropper, director of analysis and chief economist at the Department for Business and Trade
Cabinet Office awarded £200k to evaluate Civil Service Fast Stream
26 Mar 2024 Analysis
Cabinet Office awarded £200k to evaluate Civil Service Fast Stream
Project will assess the graduate scheme's impact on recruitment
Government should create NAO-like watchdog to scrutinise regulators, peers say
12 Feb 2024 Analysis
Government should create NAO-like watchdog to scrutinise regulators, peers say
Committee calls for new body to watch over UK's regulators
DHSC writes off almost £10bn of PPE
26 Jan 2024 Analysis
DHSC writes off almost £10bn of PPE
Government’s £13.6bn spend on PPE now worth £3.7bn
Departments’ funding woes could hamper £229m data-sharing platform
16 Jan 2024 Analysis
Departments’ funding woes could hamper £229m data-sharing platform
National statistician Ian Diamond updates MPs as Integrated Data Service moves towards full rollout
‘Five years left to fully realise my ambition’: NAO head Gareth Davies on plans for the rest of his term and Christmas faves
19 Dec 2023 Analysis
‘Five years left to fully realise my ambition’: NAO head Gareth Davies on plans for the rest of his term and Christmas faves
The head of the National Audit Office discusses what still needs to be done in the coming years
'Significant overhaul is needed': Insights from a previously-secret review of centre-of-government crisis capabilities
08 Dec 2023 Analysis
'Significant overhaul is needed': Insights from a previously-secret review of centre-of-government crisis capabilities
Review makes 23 recommendations for “higher-quality faster-paced central decision making”, including reinvigorating the lead government response model
Treasury gets departments to meet evaluation commitments without sanctions
05 Dec 2023 Analysis
Treasury gets departments to meet evaluation commitments without sanctions
All departments have now met 2021 Spending Review evaluation conditions, after some were given extended deadlines
New prize will help business department find out what it doesn't know it needs to know
16 Nov 2023 Analysis
New prize will help business department find out what it doesn't know it needs to know
As DBT launches a new prize for early-career researchers, head of analysis Ben Cropper explains the importance of broadening and fostering conversation with external experts so analysts are better prepared to answer the questions of the future
Loss of government statisticians ‘is a worry’, MPs told
10 Nov 2023 Analysis
Loss of government statisticians ‘is a worry’, MPs told
Departments may struggle to retain key officials amid demand for skills, experts warn
Science adviser sounded alarm over Treasury modelling, Covid Inquiry told
07 Nov 2023 Analysis
Science adviser sounded alarm over Treasury modelling, Covid Inquiry told
Former economic adviser insists Treasury was not "tactical" about its economic analysis but "shared freely"
DLUHC clashes with local council over four-day working week trial
06 Nov 2023 Analysis
DLUHC clashes with local council over four-day working week trial
South Cambridgeshire District Council issued with Best Value Notice signalling ministers' concern over reduced-hours pilot