Legal

Canadian privacy commissioner who has been arguing for a “duty to record” named as preferred candidate to replace Christopher Graham

Government's preferred candidate to succeed Sir David Normington as Commissioner for Public Appointments says revamped process for filling top public jobs will not result in ministers "just being able to get who they want"

New report finds independence of local government should be protected by primary legislation, and says more must be done to encourage all central government departments to support devolution

Committee chair Bernard Jenkin warns cabinet secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood that guidance on support for pro-Brexit ministers could leave officials exposed during legal proceedings — but Heywood says withdrawing them "would simply create uncertainty and confusion"

Outgoing director of the Institute for Government think tank due to take over from Sir David Normington at watchdog ensuring ministers fill top public jobs on merit

"We take all allegations of impropriety extremely seriously," says justice minister Andrew Selous

Outgoing director says it has been an "enormous privilege" to lead the think tank

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee chair Bernard Jenkin writes to prime minister David Cameron to complain about social media conduct of adviser Daniel Korski

Government will set out legislative agenda two weeks after local elections, Chris Grayling announces

Defeat on BIS plans came after a last-ditch attempt by George Osborne to stave off a Tory rebellion

The Times reports that government's legislative programme will now be laid out in May

Shadow cabinet office minister says lack of senior Communities and Local Government officials outside the capital shows "utter contempt" for the rest of the country – but department points out that senior officials "account for less than 5% of the department’s workforce"

Tom Walker – who heads cross-government cities and local growth team – hails "ever closer integration" and close support of the Treasury as ministers press ahead with devolution drive

New Scottish agency will take on running of some payments from the DWP and will be “directly accountable” to Scottish ministers

Prime minister has reportedly delayed unveiling of legislative year ahead to allow focus on European Union vote

Burns Commission on Freedom of Information sides against charges for FOI requests, but calls for greater clarity on protecting policy-making

Public pending watchdog finds delays in the justice system because of “basic avoidable mistakes” and says reform alone will not tackle all “causes of inefficiency"

Cabinet secretary will be questioned by the Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee on Tuesday, after ministers in favour of leaving the EU question guidance on use of official resources

793-page investigation into response to Savile's serial offending cites warnings from former cabinet secretary Lord Butler over plans to award TV and radio star a knighthood

Campaigners argued legal aid changes, ruled unlawful by the Court of Appeal, meant domestic violence victims were being forced to “face their abuser”. The MoJ says it will "carefully consider" the findings

Prime minister unveils moves to scrap declaration of criminal convictions in initial application stage - as Whitehall's new chief people officer Rupert McNeil stresses that safety checks will remain in place

Prison performance will be subject to greater transparency, David Cameron set to say, while governors will be handed greater control over the education of inmates

Report by the Alliance for Useful Evidence and the Institute for Government finds officials held back by "structural and cultural barriers" between UK's various governments

Downing Street hails move as "further sign of progress" as David Cameron pushes for renegotiation of Britain's place in the EU