Why is it so hard to sell an idea to government (even one that could make millions for the public purse)?
04 Apr Operational Delivery

Why is it so hard to sell an idea to government (even one that could make millions for the public purse)?

To an outsider, reaching the right civil servants with an idea that could revolutionise services or save money seems impossible
by Jon McKnight
SR25: MoJ gets funding injection for new prison places and probation services
12 Jun Operational Delivery
SR25: MoJ gets funding injection for new prison places and probation services
MoJ sets up new probation and reoffending directorate
02 Jun Operational Delivery
MoJ sets up new probation and reoffending directorate
HMRC labelled 'lumbering dinosaur' and urged to modernise systems
30 Apr Operational Delivery
HMRC labelled 'lumbering dinosaur' and urged to modernise systems
Departments ‘not taking siloed approach’ to net zero, perm sec insists
16 Jun 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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"
Government has implemented just four of 57 ethics recommendations, says charity
11 Apr 2023 Operational Delivery
Government has implemented just four of 57 ethics recommendations, says charity
Spotlight on Corruption says it hopes the post-Greensill audit will be a "wake-up call" to the government
Passport delays: staff were 'fighting a losing battle against poor planning'
06 Apr 2023 Operational Delivery
Passport delays: staff were 'fighting a losing battle against poor planning'
Passport Office "let down" hundreds of thousands of customers despite planning for applications surge, PAC says
MPs criticise public service ombudsman for ‘lack of ambition’
03 Apr 2023 Operational Delivery
MPs criticise public service ombudsman for ‘lack of ambition’
Report says PHSO strategy for cutting complaints backlog is not a long-term solution
Read the spring 2023 issue of Civil Service World
21 Mar 2023 Operational Delivery
Read the spring 2023 issue of Civil Service World
Read exclusive interviews with Home Office perm sec Matthew Rycroft and first civil service commissioner Gisela Stuart – plus deep dives on the trade profession and chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance's legacy
PCS ballots civil servants on six more months of strikes, as it announces more walkouts
21 Mar 2023 Operational Delivery
PCS ballots civil servants on six more months of strikes, as it announces more walkouts
Union urges civil servants to send a “clear message to the government” by backing further action
Home Office police recruitment demands 'pushed Met focus away from diversity and skills'
21 Mar 2023 Operational Delivery
Home Office police recruitment demands 'pushed Met focus away from diversity and skills'
Recruitment programme a "missed opportunity", finds review warning of racism, homophobia, misogyny and ableism in Met Police
‘These are almost impossibly difficult issues to grapple with’: Matthew Rycroft on Rwanda, Windrush and transforming the Home Office Exclusive
20 Mar 2023 Operational Delivery
‘These are almost impossibly difficult issues to grapple with’: Matthew Rycroft on Rwanda, Windrush and transforming the Home Office
‘Permacrisis’ may have been Collins Dictionary’s Word of the Year for 2022, but it’s been part of the Home Office lexicon for decades. What’s it like leading such a closely scrutinised department while trying to transform its culture at the same time?
DVLA criticised for ‘antiquated’ operations and unclear modernisation strategy
17 Mar 2023 Operational Delivery
DVLA criticised for ‘antiquated’ operations and unclear modernisation strategy
Backlogs report also accuses Department for Transport of taking “hands-off approach” to licensing agency
Passport Office staff to strike for five weeks as union ramps up pay dispute
17 Mar 2023 Operational Delivery
Passport Office staff to strike for five weeks as union ramps up pay dispute
Around 1,000 Passport Office staff are set to strike, close to a quarter of the organisation's workforce
Environment Agency names Treasury DG as chief exec
17 Mar 2023 Operational Delivery
Environment Agency names Treasury DG as chief exec
Philip Duffy will succeed James Bevan at Horizon House from July