Finance

 Public Accounts Committee criticises departments' “business as usual” assumption for 2019 and berates pace of pan-Whitehall Border Planning Group 

NAO report calls on the government to ensure regulatory reforms can improve student perceptions of value for money

Letter from Cabinet Office minister Damian Green says government will consider a cap-busting increase “in return for improvements to public sector productivity”

DExEU perm sec insists analysis has “huge value” despite criticism that it does not amount to full impact assessments

Treasury guidance also expands role for ministers in requests for direction from departmental agencies and arm’s length bodies

Union’s national executive agrees to prepare for statutory strike ballot

Former Cabinet Office minister told MPs he became disillusioned with civil service skills and repeats call for basic training

Department for Education insists process was followed with regard to Steve Lamey, who alleges a “witch hunt”

New directors general roles announced after DIT expands by 1,000 staff in a year

Tax collection agency picks internal candidate as Edward Troup retires

Health and education departments first to benefit from ‘confidence and supply’ agreement