Operational Delivery

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.