Finance

Treasury names Richard Hughes as preferred candidate to head independent fiscal watchdog

Chancellor reveals that the furlough scheme is costing around the same as the NHS

Perm sec Alex Chisholm said it was impossible to determine if the scheme would deliver value for money under Treasury guidance

PCS says department has reversed plans to outsource a range of veterans’ services after campaign work

Treasury and HMRC urged to build evidence base for change as support for better-funded public services is expected to grow

Low Incomes Tax Reform Group applauds round-the-clock efforts of ‘invisible cohort’ of departmental staff

Union says sheer volume of new applicants amid coronavirus pandemic is ‘putting massive strain’ on workforce

Resolution Foundation calls on ministers to extend eligibility and encourage new claims as demand for support spikes

Matt Hancock issues instruction to ensure no “barrier or delay” to taking action in “extraordinary circumstances”

National Audit Office questions financial planning for keeping top institutions in good repair

Chancellor hints at changes to the way the self-employed are taxed once crisis is over to ensure “all pay in equally in future”

MPs told previous verbal and numeric testing regime was slashing candidate pool by half

Business and employee support schemes open for business this week

Online drive blamed for tens of thousands of potentially bogus requests, says National Audit Office

Current operators will run services under new ‘emergency measures agreements’

Ministers urged to introduce wage-guarantee scheme as data underscores lack of savings and reliance on credit

Steps to tackle ‘economic emergency’ let out in Downing Street press conference