Operational Delivery

New report by the National Audit Office spending watchdog finds that while departmental spending on consultants and temporary staff has plummeted over last five years, latest figures indicate a “short-term reduction rather than a sustainable strategy”

The MoD is set to bring its civilian HR, finance, information and security vetting corporate services back in house from April

National Audit Office says Department for Work and Pensions has improved oversight of Employment and Support Allowance tests - but warns of "perpetuating cycle of optimistic targets, contractual underperformance and costly recovery"

Watchdog seeks additional information on commercial sector links

Justice secretary confirms Peter Clarke and Dame Glenys Stacy to head up respective prisons and probation watchdogs 

Dieter Helm, chair of the advisory Natural Capital Committee, urges creation of a new "smaller, more tightly focussed Environment Protection agency"

Emergency services will be encouraged to share back office functions under plans outlined by the Home Office

Immigration interpreters may refuse work over Home Office plans to change terms

NAO research finds there are now 218 companies in government, but over half are not listed in official sources

Home Affairs Select Committee issues scathing report on errors in police funding overhaul – as department promises to learn lessons

Pressure on Care Quality Commission resources is showing through report errors, say MPs, as CQC chief David Behan (pictured) says regulator has been "working hard to improve"

DWP says it will meet the cost of redundancies stemming from decision not to move Housing Benefit staff into the department when benefits are merged

Plans to grant councils power to raise money for social care could lead to big regional variations, warn care sector leaders

Welsh first minister says there is “no real machinery for a regular heads of government meeting” – as Silk Commission chair reveals he considered calling for separate civil service.

National Audit Office says project likely to be finished eight years later than originally thought

Former head of the civil service drafts in TUC chief Frances O'Grady and ex-KPMG deputy Alan Buckle to assess whether the Treasury is "fit for purpose"

PCS union accuses driver agency of "petty-minded response" to staff who took earlier strike action

Chief executive of the Defence Equipment and Support agency says fresh Trident cost estimates are proof of an end to a culture in which the MoD has been "unrealistic about the numbers"

Fiscal watchdog predicts 0.1m drop in public sector workforce by 2020, but says pay restraint will reduce need for cuts

Defence committee takes evidence on the Strategic Defence and Security Review – with decision to axe 30% of MoD's civilian staff coming under fire from academics

Significant victory for NHS chief executive Simon Stevens as chancellor George Osborne brings forward promised NHS investment

The Department for Transport has addressed the causes of the failed West Coast rail franchise, the NAO spending watchdog finds – but risks remain to future competitions as work on HS2 delays the new West Coast franchise by six months

Civilian MoD workforce reportedly in line for staffing reductions as David Cameron prepares to unveil Strategic Defence and Security Review

Tim Loughton says DfE officials questioned making a “special case” of the Kids Company charity – while Cabinet Office minister Oliver Letwin is quizzed on where the “buck stops” for its final round of public funding