Budget 2025: Departments told to find extra £4.9bn in efficiencies
26 Nov 2025 Economics

Budget 2025: Departments told to find extra £4.9bn in efficiencies

New target follows near-£14bn efficiencies committed to for SR25 period
by Tevye Markson
Treasury aiming to reduce micromanagement of departments
12 Feb Economics
Treasury aiming to reduce micromanagement of departments
Government efficiency plans could be more ambitious, says NAO boss
11 Feb Economics
Government efficiency plans could be more ambitious, says NAO boss
HM Treasury planning 300 job cuts
03 Feb Economics
HM Treasury planning 300 job cuts
Productivity puzzle corner: The Efficiency Wars redux
28 Mar 2024 Economics
Productivity puzzle corner: The Efficiency Wars redux
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
Treasury shakes up leadership as Cat Little departs
13 Mar 2024 Economics
Treasury shakes up leadership as Cat Little departs
Beth Russell will take on new responsibilities while the Treasury considers recruiting a replacement second perm sec
Stats watchdog rebukes Treasury minister over ‘misleading’ tax-cut claim
20 Feb 2024 Economics
Stats watchdog rebukes Treasury minister over ‘misleading’ tax-cut claim
UKSA chair says comments claiming taxes for average earner have fallen by £1,000 could have misled the public
Northern Ireland heading for £1bn overspend
10 Nov 2023 Economics
Northern Ireland heading for £1bn overspend
'Fair' public sector pay awards set to add £590m to overspend, Department of Finance perm sec says
Departments facing 16% real-terms budget cuts, think tank predicts
06 Nov 2023 Economics
Departments facing 16% real-terms budget cuts, think tank predicts
Such a big five-year drop in spending "looks completely undeliverable", Resolution Foundation research director says
Fast Stream hits 50% STEM grads recruitment target
26 Oct 2023 Economics
Fast Stream hits 50% STEM grads recruitment target
Jeremy Quin says target is part of plan to "put innovation at the very core of policy making"
DHSC lacked economic advice to support Covid response, ex-minister says
06 Sep 2023 Economics
DHSC lacked economic advice to support Covid response, ex-minister says
Bethell also criticised No.10’s "odd" approach to managing the pandemic, and argued that government should be like Transformers
Treasury publishes new efficiency guidance for civil servants
31 Jul 2023 Economics
Treasury publishes new efficiency guidance for civil servants
Institute for Government praises “more sophisticated approach”
Bridging the gap: bringing local evidence to national policy
19 Jun 2023 Economics
Bridging the gap: bringing local evidence to national policy
Urgency to address regional disparities is clear and urgent shouldn’t mean we invest in untested, ideas, policies or businesses without evidence or strategy
From investment zones to the Levelling Up Fund: How government is going for growth
19 Jun 2023 Economics
From investment zones to the Levelling Up Fund: How government is going for growth
The government’s latest plans for building economic prosperity across the country include investment zones and Levelling Up Partnerships, with “trailblazer deals” and additional regeneration cash thrown in for good measure. We help you navigate the details
Hunt announces ‘most ambitious public sector productivity review ever’
13 Jun 2023 Economics
Hunt announces ‘most ambitious public sector productivity review ever’
Treasury will be an "enabler of reform" as ministers follow path to growth trodden by Thatcher, chancellor says
EXCL: Efficiency review finds higher savings target ‘not realistic’ as inflation bites
06 Jun 2023 Economics
EXCL: Efficiency review finds higher savings target ‘not realistic’ as inflation bites
Alex Chisholm says he is “confident” departments will meet 5% target, despite inflation pressures and demands from new government