Legal

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