Operational Delivery

Report by the Public Accounts Committee says HMRC too slow in identifying potential abuse of tax reliefs

 The next government must build on existing Whitehall reforms if it wants to avoid mid-term failures, says think tank the Institute for Government

Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude says £11bn of £20bn annual Whitehall efficiency drive identified, but Labour warns of little room for more 'back office efficiencies' 

MPs on the Public Accounts Committee warn commercial skills gap at Defence Equipment and Support will undermine MoD efforts to reduce costs if not addressed

Departments to pay market-level rent for offices and other freehold assets in drive to better manage government land and property

George Osborne has delivered the final Budget of the Parliament at 12.30. Follow all the reaction here with live coverage from our colleagues at PoliticsHome.

Separate reports by the Communities and Local Government and Education committees raise questions about education watchdog Ofsted

NAO chief Amyas Morse warns officials may not be thinking through implications of spending reductions

MPs on the Public Administration Committee warn Capability Plan focus too 'narrow' and mid-management skills being 'hollowed out'

Departments tell National Audit Office cross-government working would be bolstered by better 'support and challenge' at the centre of government

Prime minister needs team who can speak 'frankly' on departments, Labour peer Lord Falconer says, but warns against 'divisive' approach to Whitehall

General Sir Peter Wall says 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review assumed 'benign' world situation

Public Administration Select Committee urges greater role for Cabinet Office in planning for the future and ending departmental duplication

Former chief whip defends impact of fixed-term parliaments in delivering legislative programme

Independent Commission for Aid Impact says security and justice work lacks focus, but praises more targeted efforts in Malawi and Bangladesh

Solent Gateway Limited named as MoD favourite to manage military port near Southampton

Defence safety regulators to merge into Defence Safety Authority from 1 April 2015

New figures from the Cabinet Office show SMEs have benefited from £11.4bn of government contracts 

Home Office let off the hook after court rules department does not have to pay damages to defence firm 

Government should focus on working with mutuals and cooperatives rather than outsourcing to private firms, says Jon Cruddas

New Diplomatic Academy set up to improve knowledge and skills of FCO staff 

Scotland protected from full shock of drop in oil prices by economic and financial union of UK 

Nicholas Macpherson says economic and financial functions should both remain in the Treasury

Sir David Bell calls for more trust in teachers and schools – and for an independent body to set education strategy