'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
Cash boost and ambition needed to improve UK infrastructure, advisers say
18 Oct 2023 Analysis
Cash boost and ambition needed to improve UK infrastructure, advisers say
UK is at a “pivotal moment... to make a major difference to this country’s future", but must “get on with it”, commission says
Watchdog praises 'speed' of Homes for Ukraine scheme delivery but warns of data gaps
17 Oct 2023 Analysis
Watchdog praises 'speed' of Homes for Ukraine scheme delivery but warns of data gaps
NAO says decisions by DLUHC have “inhibited its understanding of how the scheme is operating", including numbers who have become homeless
DfE apologises over £270m schools-funding error
09 Oct 2023 Analysis
DfE apologises over £270m schools-funding error
Education secretary orders review of assurance process as schools forced to recalculate budgets
MPs demand DESNZ benefits analysis for Sunak’s net-zero changes
02 Oct 2023 Analysis
MPs demand DESNZ benefits analysis for Sunak’s net-zero changes
Energy secretary Claire Coutinho asked to set out basis for savings promised by prime minister
Competitive procurement could save government billions
11 Sep 2023 Analysis
Competitive procurement could save government billions
Government will continue to spend unnecessarily until it clearly defines parameters for competitive procurement and makes better use of procurement data
Setting up shop: A roundtable discussion about public sector procurement Partner Content
04 Sep 2023 Analysis
Setting up shop: A roundtable discussion about public sector procurement
As the government moves towards a new procurement landscape, how can leaders from commercial, delivery and policy teams ensure they realise the opportunities presented by this reform? Officials discuss at a roundtable, supported by Serco, at CS Live
Barriers, success, and Infrastructure and Projects Authority’s principles in digital projects Partner Content
04 Sep 2023 Analysis
Barriers, success, and Infrastructure and Projects Authority’s principles in digital projects
The crucial steps to set up complex projects, as discussed by digital project leaders at a roundtable supported by Mastek at CS Live 2023
Better together: Lessons from a decade of Shared Services
28 Jul 2023 Analysis
Better together: Lessons from a decade of Shared Services
It is 10 years since the government committed to an ambitious shared services strategy. CSW reports on a roundtable that discussed progress and sought to identify challenges ahead
Test of the best: The past, present and future of civil service entrance exams
21 Jul 2023 Analysis
Test of the best: The past, present and future of civil service entrance exams
How we decide who joins the civil service has a profound impact on the work of government, argues Andrew Greenway. If there wasn’t a good reason before to think hard about how we assess and predict civil servants' competence, there certainly is now...
Power to the people: How we can deliver open government
21 Jul 2023 Analysis
Power to the people: How we can deliver open government
Greater public involvement in shaping, implementing and evaluating policy is a clear goal of open government. Tim Gibson examines how it can be done, as well as its potential to help shape better policy and restore trust in the working of democracy
Book review: How Westminster Works... and Why It Doesn't by Ian Dunt
20 Jul 2023 Analysis
Book review: How Westminster Works... and Why It Doesn't by Ian Dunt
This detailed exploration of Whitehall and Westminster offers a peek into the corridors of power and starts a valuable conversation about the need for reform
Analysis: Public sector cyber contracts have doubled since Covid
22 Jun 2023 Analysis
Analysis: Public sector cyber contracts have doubled since Covid
Procurement records show 250 deals being signed each year, including engagements to support incident response and promote security-aware culture
'We want to equip government to deliver better': IfG director sets out vision for think tank's future
25 May 2023 Analysis
'We want to equip government to deliver better': IfG director sets out vision for think tank's future
Dr Hannah White, the director of the Institute for Government, offers her expert view on the current state of the civil service
Government's ‘top down-approach’ to net zero 'holding back progress'
02 Feb 2023 Analysis
Government's ‘top down-approach’ to net zero 'holding back progress'
Government needs to give mayoral authorities powers to deliver net zero goals, think tank says
Decision on extra pay increase ‘was the hardest call this year’, National Audit Office chief says
28 Dec 2022 Analysis
Decision on extra pay increase ‘was the hardest call this year’, National Audit Office chief says
Cost-of-living crisis and audit reform are biggest challenges to come this year, says Gareth Davies – who also recalls challenging days working as a postie at Christmas
Government's property plans 'in disarray' as 'plague of ageing, inadequate data systems strikes again', MPs warn
21 Dec 2022 Analysis
Government's property plans 'in disarray' as 'plague of ageing, inadequate data systems strikes again', MPs warn
Public Accounts Committee questions value for money of hubs programme, and ambitions to raise £2bn through property sales and efficiency savings
'I want to build a truly inclusive culture across the ONS': Sir Ian Diamond's hopes for 2023
21 Dec 2022 Analysis
'I want to build a truly inclusive culture across the ONS': Sir Ian Diamond's hopes for 2023
Enabling more frequent population statistics and fostering greater diversity in the Office for National Statistics are twin priorities for the national statistician
Evaluation, managing demand and investing in digital the path to saving public money, watchdog says
12 Dec 2022 Analysis
Evaluation, managing demand and investing in digital the path to saving public money, watchdog says
NAO head Gareth Davies suggests how departments can get more out of their budgets amid mounting pressures
Driving value for money for everyone: Meeting the challenge of ‘Yes’ for public sector commercial directors Partner Content
01 Dec 2022 Analysis
Driving value for money for everyone: Meeting the challenge of ‘Yes’ for public sector commercial directors
By challenging established processes and embracing new ways of working, significant savings and enhanced efficiencies are achievable, say Sarah Ashley and John Thompson from Baringa
Sunak 'should consider enabling OBR to probe departmental spending plans'
22 Nov 2022 Analysis
Sunak 'should consider enabling OBR to probe departmental spending plans'
Think tank’s growth proposals urge PM to consider Vaccine Taskforce-inspired interventions for key goals
A civil servant’s guide to the Open Data Institute’s fuel poverty risk index
08 Nov 2022 Analysis
A civil servant’s guide to the Open Data Institute’s fuel poverty risk index
Fuel poverty is a public health emergency. Up-to-date data will help policymakers to target support amid the cost of living crisis
Pandemics, plastic bags and planning: What can data tell us about government policy? Partner Content
02 Nov 2022 Analysis
Pandemics, plastic bags and planning: What can data tell us about government policy?
How do we know if a policy works and gives value for money, or has unintended consequences? The longitudinal data of Understanding Society can help to find the answers
Don’t rush into decisions on spending cuts, Hunt warned
27 Oct 2022 Analysis
Don’t rush into decisions on spending cuts, Hunt warned
IfG and CIPFA urge Hunt to wait on detailed plans for cuts in fiscal statement
Civil servants warned Kwarteng about mini-budget fallout, MPs told
27 Oct 2022 Analysis
Civil servants warned Kwarteng about mini-budget fallout, MPs told
Debt Management Office chief says Treasury was told disastrous £45bn tax-cuts plan would push up borrowing