'Scrape the barnacles from the hull': Ex-chief of defence staff makes 'last throw of the dice' for radical change in MoD
16 Sep Finance

'Scrape the barnacles from the hull': Ex-chief of defence staff makes 'last throw of the dice' for radical change in MoD

MoD must be prepared to “risk public money so as to be more effective and go faster", Admiral Radakin says
by Suzannah Brecknell
DHSC second perm sec to become envoy for northern growth
30 Oct Finance
DHSC second perm sec to become envoy for northern growth
HMRC error means public sector borrowing was overestimated by £3bn
09 Oct Finance
HMRC error means public sector borrowing was overestimated by £3bn
DHSC second perm sec appointed as National Wealth Fund NED
02 Oct Finance
DHSC second perm sec appointed as National Wealth Fund NED
DBT told to detail cost of recovering Covid-loan fraud losses
06 Sep 2023 Finance
DBT told to detail cost of recovering Covid-loan fraud losses
MPs say just 1.9% of £1.1bn wrongly lent to small business has been recovered
'We expect them to run a multibillion-pound department with no training’: Ministers' budget-management woes
05 Sep 2023 Finance
'We expect them to run a multibillion-pound department with no training’: Ministers' budget-management woes
A former cabinet minister calls for financial training for incoming ministers
Sunak cut school rebuilding despite ‘critical risk to life’ warnings, ex-perm sec says
04 Sep 2023 Finance
Sunak cut school rebuilding despite ‘critical risk to life’ warnings, ex-perm sec says
Treasury halved programme to remedy crumbling concrete, Slater says as dozens close over safety concerns
Treasury publishes new efficiency guidance for civil servants
31 Jul 2023 Finance
Treasury publishes new efficiency guidance for civil servants
Institute for Government praises “more sophisticated approach”
NAO details lessons from government procurement failings
19 Jul 2023 Finance
NAO details lessons from government procurement failings
New report calls on departments to engage with suppliers more effectively, and follow guidance more consistently
Treasury reaffirms commitment to 'golden goodbyes' crackdown after £182m paid out in a year
20 Jun 2023 Finance
Treasury reaffirms commitment to 'golden goodbyes' crackdown after £182m paid out in a year
Redundancy bill includes payments of £100,000 to 389 departing civil servants and ALB staff
Bridging the gap: bringing local evidence to national policy
19 Jun 2023 Finance
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 Finance
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
NI perm secs told to find revenue-raising measures amid budget funding shortfall
15 Jun 2023 Finance
NI perm secs told to find revenue-raising measures amid budget funding shortfall
Prescription and home-care charges on the table alongside higher tuition fees, Chris Heaton-Harris says
Covid and strikes to blame for drop in government fraud prosecutions, Chisholm says
13 Jun 2023 Finance
Covid and strikes to blame for drop in government fraud prosecutions, Chisholm says
Figures show marked falls in conviction rates for fraud cases referred by HMRC and DWP
Hunt announces ‘most ambitious public sector productivity review ever’
13 Jun 2023 Finance
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
'Here to stay' – the rising prominence of social value in public procurement
09 Jun 2023 Finance
'Here to stay' – the rising prominence of social value in public procurement
Billed as the holy grail that can save public money as well as improving outcomes, social value has been a formal part of public sector procurement for a decade, but what do new procurement rules mean for its future?
EXCL: Efficiency review finds higher savings target ‘not realistic’ as inflation bites
06 Jun 2023 Finance
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
'Pathetic': MPs slam Treasury's response to aid spending concerns
22 May 2023 Finance
'Pathetic': MPs slam Treasury's response to aid spending concerns
Government rejected committee's call for ODA to be ringfenced for overseas development
Treasury confirms Civil Service Pension Scheme reform plan
17 May 2023 Finance
Treasury confirms Civil Service Pension Scheme reform plan
Reformed scheme will not have to cover costs for legacy schemes, policy statement says
Recovering £1.1bn in Covid debts will be ‘incredibly hard’, DBT perm sec admits
11 May 2023 Finance
Recovering £1.1bn in Covid debts will be ‘incredibly hard’, DBT perm sec admits
“Loosey-goosey” approach to first wave of business grants created a major obstacle to getting cash back, Davies tells MPs
DfE minister admits ‘challenge’ of Spring Budget childcare offer
09 May 2023 Finance
DfE minister admits ‘challenge’ of Spring Budget childcare offer
Expansion of 30-hours-a-week entitlement requires renaissance in recruitment, Claire Coutinho tells MPs
Health secretary pushes through NHS pay rise with ministerial direction
09 May 2023 Finance
Health secretary pushes through NHS pay rise with ministerial direction
Perm sec Sir Chris Wormald gets ministerial sign-off as pay award breaches approved budget
NICS head unpacks impact of power-vacuum budget cuts
05 May 2023 Finance
NICS head unpacks impact of power-vacuum budget cuts
Jayne Brady warns there will be some decisions officials cannot legally make in absence of Northern Ireland Executive
Anger as NI civil servants are left to find 10% budget cuts
03 May 2023 Finance
Anger as NI civil servants are left to find 10% budget cuts
Government ignores call for ministerial directions in absence of power-sharing executive
'Negligent' employers not being inspected due to HSE funding cuts, union warns
28 Apr 2023 Finance
'Negligent' employers not being inspected due to HSE funding cuts, union warns
Inspection cancellations soar amid "staffing and skills crisis" after 43% real-terms funding cuts
DLUHC ducks MPs’ questions on Treasury-imposed spending crackdown
28 Apr 2023 Finance
DLUHC ducks MPs’ questions on Treasury-imposed spending crackdown
Committee chair says response begs questions about government’s commitment to levelling up
Fallout from Scholar and Lovegrove sackings should be a lesson for ministers, Sedwill says
27 Apr 2023 Finance
Fallout from Scholar and Lovegrove sackings should be a lesson for ministers, Sedwill says
Truss and Kwarteng's errors are a cautionary tale for future leaders, former cabinet secretary tells peers
DfT perm sec ‘disappointed and dismayed’ at £2.2bn HS2 Euston Station cost hike
25 Apr 2023 Finance
DfT perm sec ‘disappointed and dismayed’ at £2.2bn HS2 Euston Station cost hike
Bernadette Kelly tells watchdog MPs near doubling of projected cost for new HS2 terminus came as a “surprise”