Commercial

Some staff are still uncertain about joining the GCO, Institute for Government researchers find, though the reforms to improve commercial capability are already making an impact

HMRC confirms it will look again at tax credits withdrawn by the US contractor

Fresh data flags more modest year-on-year savings, as Cabinet Office acknowledges that larger efficiencies "will only be achieved by total service transformation"

Total running costs fell by over 7% in 2015-16, Cabinet Office says, as it readies launch of "New Property Model" to charge departments rent on their holdings

FDA and Prospect argue enhanced salaries but thin pension offer for staff in the new Government Commercial Organisation will deter civil service interest and fail to attract real private sector talent

Single Source Regulations Office seeks greater oversight of contracts for non-competitive military goods

Exclusive: Cabinet secretary says reform agenda remains "strongly supported by ministers" after several key Francis Maude-era initiatives are scrapped, but stresses focus on "embedding leadership at a departmental level"

Estates strategy proposes opening five new large service centres and 50 shared-site operations

Appointments watchdog gives Air Marshal Sir Simon Bollom green light to set up consultancy and accept commissions – one of which involves MoD project

Boss of major outsourcing company says deliberate moves by government, as well as "foolishness" by suppliers, have put too much risk on shoulders of firms dealing with big public sector contracts

The chief executive of the Crown Commercial Service has told the Public Accounts Committee that he would rather “take time to build a model that endures” than rush to increase the volume of services bought through and by his centralised procurement team

Public Accounts Committee slams "unacceptable" delay in publishing Troubled Families evaluation, and tells communities department it must find better ways to monitor long term impact of this initiative

New service will allow users that have logged in once to automatically join the WiFi in any government building that runs the service

Public Accounts Committee says design of new airport for UK overseas territory failed to account for wind shear, and attacks Department for International Development over planning and accountability

National Audit Office report on Crown Commercial Service blames failure to achieve forecast procurement savings on “overambitious targets, poor planning, inadequate data and lack of buy in”

 

Cross-department team behind HR reform proposals wins Reimagine Challenge. Matt Ross reports

Analysis by The Times finds fees paid to consultancy companies by the Department for International Development have risen sharply in the past year

MPs call on government to commission independent review into tax-credit compliance processes

With the end of 2016 fast approaching, we asked the UK's top civil servants to look back at the year, outline their goals for 2017 – and shed some light on their festive favourites. This list will be updated throughout December, so check back regularly!

MP calls for further investigation into a contract between UKTI and a consultancy firm which was cancelled after officials raised concerns over invoicing

New recruit be responsible for managing a £50m annual IT budget

Manzoni and Gummer convene refreshed advisory panel as government reiterates commitment to channel 33% of procurement spend through SMEs

HMRC says Concentrix staff moving in-house are being given fresh training, as it confirms earlier-than-planned end to controversial fraud and error deal

Latest government commercial standards focus on building in-house clout and ask departments to justify use of interims