Read the autumn 2023 issue of Civil Service World
19 Sep Operational Delivery

Read the autumn 2023 issue of Civil Service World

Our Energy and Environment special asks: What can the UK do to prepare for climate change? Plus, the secret life a press secretary, and government's ugliest postwar buildings
by Civil Service World
All departments should take responsibility for rough sleeping, report argues
26 Sep Operational Delivery
All departments should take responsibility for rough sleeping, report argues
NI perm secs told to begin consultation on cash-raising measures
21 Sep Operational Delivery
NI perm secs told to begin consultation on cash-raising measures
Probation inspector calls for independent review of 'struggling' service
19 Sep Operational Delivery
Probation inspector calls for independent review of 'struggling' service
UK aid impoverished by FCO-DfID merger, report warns
18 Sep Operational Delivery
UK aid impoverished by FCO-DfID merger, report warns
Officials have been faced with ‘strategic drift’ in recent years, aid watchdog says
DHSC lacked economic advice to support Covid response, ex-minister says
06 Sep Operational Delivery
DHSC lacked economic advice to support Covid response, ex-minister says
Bethell also criticised No.10’s "odd" approach to managing the pandemic, and argued that government should be like Transformers
Railway bridge remedials signal tensions between National Highways and local planners
15 Aug Operational Delivery
Railway bridge remedials signal tensions between National Highways and local planners
National Highways provides update on removal of infill from Cumbrian bridge, amid ongoing tension with local authorities and heritage campaigners over management of Historical Railways Estate
Treasury publishes new efficiency guidance for civil servants
31 Jul Operational Delivery
Treasury publishes new efficiency guidance for civil servants
Institute for Government praises “more sophisticated approach”
What does a second permanent secretary do and why are there so many of them?
18 Jul Operational Delivery
What does a second permanent secretary do and why are there so many of them?
More and more departments are appointing second permanent secretaries. Beckie Smith speaks to civil service leaders and outside experts to find out more
Too many cooks in the kitchen? Here’s a recipe for cross-government success
12 Jul Operational Delivery
Too many cooks in the kitchen? Here’s a recipe for cross-government success
Complex challenges increasingly require officials to work across departmental boundaries, but it's not always easy to deliver on these shared projects. Sian Jones offers advice from the latest National Audit Office guide which aims to help civil servants get better together
'It’s a precious thing to doubt your certainty': CSW chews the cud with Food Standards Agency chief executive Emily Miles
06 Jul Operational Delivery
'It’s a precious thing to doubt your certainty': CSW chews the cud with Food Standards Agency chief executive Emily Miles
Jess Bowie meets FSA chief executive Emily Miles to discuss the safety of what we eat, idealism versus pragmatism, and why a bit of self-doubt is crucial to good leadership
Covid Inquiry: DHSC did not plan for pandemic quarantine measures despite 'system overload' warning
27 Jun Operational Delivery
Covid Inquiry: DHSC did not plan for pandemic quarantine measures despite 'system overload' warning
DHSC board warned in 2016 of need for quarantine and contact-tracing preparations, inquiry hears
Home Office ‘disbands’ Windrush reform unit
20 Jun Operational Delivery
Home Office ‘disbands’ Windrush reform unit
Civil servants concerned commitments to reform department are being “watered down”
MPs ask HMRC for answers over summer helpline closure
16 Jun Operational Delivery
MPs ask HMRC for answers over summer helpline closure
Treasury Committee questions impact of self-assessment phone line changes on citizens and lack of notice
Departments ‘not taking siloed approach’ to net zero, perm sec insists
16 Jun Operational Delivery
Departments ‘not taking siloed approach’ to net zero, perm sec insists
However DESNZ boss Jeremy Pocklington tells MPs seven key sectors targeted for innovation would benefit from “a clearer lead”
Hunt announces ‘most ambitious public sector productivity review ever’
13 Jun Operational Delivery
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
EXCL: Efficiency review finds higher savings target ‘not realistic’ as inflation bites
06 Jun Operational Delivery
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
'The border must continually evolve': How Border Force is tackling new threats
01 Jun Operational Delivery
'The border must continually evolve': How Border Force is tackling new threats
Border Force DG Phil Douglas shares some of the service's recent achievements and challenges
DfT swerves call for DVLA strategic review
01 Jun Operational Delivery
DfT swerves call for DVLA strategic review
Department refuses to commit to scope and timescale proposed by Public Accounts Committee
‘Dysfunctional’ FCDO systems left aid watchdog unable to recruit staff and pay contractors
25 May Operational Delivery
‘Dysfunctional’ FCDO systems left aid watchdog unable to recruit staff and pay contractors
ICAI details recruitment and spending challenges following FCO-DfID merger
'Relentless' policy shifts have hit civil servants' faith in leadership, Chisholm says
19 May Operational Delivery
'Relentless' policy shifts have hit civil servants' faith in leadership, Chisholm says
Officials have been "discombobulated" by non-stop change in policy and ministers, COO says
‘Complete overhaul of Defra IT needed to ensure safe food and water,' MPs warn
16 May Operational Delivery
‘Complete overhaul of Defra IT needed to ensure safe food and water,' MPs warn
Creaking tech infrastructure "at constant risk of failure or cyberattack", PAC finds
MPs doubt Cabinet Office’s ability to fix security-vetting failings
15 May Operational Delivery
MPs doubt Cabinet Office’s ability to fix security-vetting failings
Public Accounts Committee accuses department of “blocking” UKSV reform and ignoring risks
Whitehall ‘not moving fast enough’ on product-safety reform
12 May Operational Delivery
Whitehall ‘not moving fast enough’ on product-safety reform
Public Accounts Committee chair voices concerns about pace of progress with 2021 review
MPs voice fears about Cabinet Office’s latest shared-services drive
05 May Operational Delivery
MPs voice fears about Cabinet Office’s latest shared-services drive
Report flags lack of business case, absence contingency plans for funding shortfalls and inconsistent “benefits” calculations
Anger as NI civil servants are left to find 10% budget cuts
03 May Operational Delivery
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 Operational Delivery
'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
Civil Service Commission seeks more independence from Cabinet Office
18 Apr Operational Delivery
Civil Service Commission seeks more independence from Cabinet Office
Gisela Stuart says the regulator has at times been "treated like a business unit of the Cabinet Office"