Operational Delivery

NAO chief says it is time for the department to “step back and consider” its estates strategy as HMRC acknowledges its plans to close most offices will take longer, cost more, and save less than expected

Civil service’s biggest union says pressures flagged by FDA and Prospect in support of new pay deal also affect less senior workers

Brexiteers react with fury to Senior Salaries Review Body submission that suggests implementing EU referendum result is pushing Whitehall to its limits

Guidance refresh deletes entire section on creation of “Extended Ministerial Offices”

Former Barnet and Haringey council CEO Nick Walkley set to take helm of delivery body

But Howard League for Penal Reform says continued administrative delays are “simply unacceptable” for prisoners who remain locked up

With the end of 2016 fast approaching, we asked the UK's top officials to look back at the year, outline their goals for 2017 – and shed some light on their festive favourites. Professor Dame Sally Davies, chief medical officer, takes part in our annual perm secs round-up...

Unions claim victory as Cabinet Office briefs on major change to civil service performance management system introduced by Francis Maude, including axing of requirement for guided distribution. CSW has the full detail and reaction

HMRC job ad says London Office will be moving to Canary Wharf as a "transitional site in summer 2017"

MPs call on government to commission independent review into tax-credit compliance processes

MPs say DfE must not focus solely on hitting target as it overhauls the UK's apprenticeships system

Union's general secretary Mark Serwotka hails "resounding rejection" of already-introduced Compensation Scheme changes