Legal

Assistant chief executive of Birmingham City Council tells CSW that central government needs to stop telling town halls to you need to earn your freedom

Former Labour minister Nick Raynsford, a key player in setting up the Greater London Authority, tells CSW that civil servants and ministers are still reluctant to let go of powers

Report on electoral fraud recommends giving Whitehall oversight for the performance management of councils' electoral services

Report commissioned by the Committee on Standards in Public Life says it should accept the lack of political consensus on the introduction of large-scale public funding and seek a “more limited package” of changes

“The civil service has to be free to make whatever preparations it considers necessary and it should not be constrained by instructions from the government," says Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee chairman Bernard Jenkin

Institute for Government warns of "time, cost and distraction that would inevitably come from creating an entirely new organisation"

Foreign secretary tells MPs that government wanted to avoid making "an unwarranted intervention in the course of the campaign" over Britain's place in the European Union

The Grimstone overhaul of the Commissioner for Public Appointments "risks a loss of public confidence and trust" in the way key quango jobs are filled, warn MPs on the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Former civil servant's report into 2003 Iraq war finds that key departments involved in planning for the aftermath of the US-led invasion failed to share vital advice – with cabinet frequently sidelined

Oliver Letwin tells Foreign Affairs committee that the Brexit unit has no budgetary constraints so far, though it currently only exists in “virtual” form

Former civil servant's report into 2003 Iraq war to make the case for "really careful challenge, analysis and assessment"

Home Office permanent secretary Mark Sedwill is under pressure to take action and deliver better returns on the use of confiscation orders