Experts voice fears as Ethics and Integrity Commission goes live
14 Oct Policy

Experts voice fears as Ethics and Integrity Commission goes live

Successor body to Committee on Standards in Public Life “needs full independence and statutory footing”, anti-corruption organisations warn
by Jim Dunton
Think tank floats plans for standalone Department for the Prime Minister
04 Nov Policy
Think tank floats plans for standalone Department for the Prime Minister
DSIT says AI tool could free up 75,000 civil servant days a year
16 Oct Policy
DSIT says AI tool could free up 75,000 civil servant days a year
Weak oversight and overly complex design: DESNZ criticised for insulation failings
15 Oct Policy
Weak oversight and overly complex design: DESNZ criticised for insulation failings
'I view this job as the most important I have ever had' – working to improve the SEN system
02 Aug 2022 Policy
'I view this job as the most important I have ever had' – working to improve the SEN system
A huge diversity of people and roles make up the modern civil service. Sidrah Chowdry inadvertently started her career as a job centre adviser more than two decades ago. She now leads DfE's SEND policy and operations team
'Chief design officers are pretty rare in government – here's why my role matters'
02 Aug 2022 Policy
'Chief design officers are pretty rare in government – here's why my role matters'
A huge diversity of people and roles make up the modern civil service. Cat Macaulay ensures that officials – in partnership with citizens – design the right solutions to the right problems
'My work is about helping bring about a safer, more equal and inclusive society'
02 Aug 2022 Policy
'My work is about helping bring about a safer, more equal and inclusive society'
A huge diversity of people and roles make up the modern civil service. Sean Finch explains how creative thinking and listening go into policymaking to make life better for LGBT+ people
The life of a DIT director general: “It’s all about people – but being a trade nerd helps”
02 Aug 2022 Policy
The life of a DIT director general: “It’s all about people – but being a trade nerd helps”
A huge diversity of people and roles make up the modern civil service. Amanda Brooks works on trade negotiations which support economic growth and consumer choice
Civil servants offered chance to pilot new equalities-duty training
28 Jul 2022 Policy
Civil servants offered chance to pilot new equalities-duty training
Cross-government Open Innovation Team seeks volunteers to trial policy-focused programme
'The farther back you look, the farther forward you can see': how historians can help government
27 Jul 2022 Policy
'The farther back you look, the farther forward you can see': how historians can help government
Tough times often prompt politicians to seek lessons from the past. Andrew Southam explores government’s use of historians
MPs put lobbying rules under the spotlight after Greensill scandal
27 Jul 2022 Policy
MPs put lobbying rules under the spotlight after Greensill scandal
Probe will examine weaknesses exposed by the Greensill scandal, including the disclosure of senior officials’ external meetings
Government needs ‘fundamental culture change’ to risk management after Covid
26 Jul 2022 Policy
Government needs ‘fundamental culture change’ to risk management after Covid
Pandemic “has shown the potential costs of failing to prepare effectively", think tank says
Net zero: As global warming advances, how can government be a catalyst for change?
19 Jul 2022 Policy
Net zero: As global warming advances, how can government be a catalyst for change?
Achieving net zero will require a substantial and coordinated effort across all sectors, as experts on a CSW cross-sector round table discussed
MPs demand answers on ‘unlawful’ DWP benefits guidance
27 Jun 2022 Policy
MPs demand answers on ‘unlawful’ DWP benefits guidance
Select committee says crucial legal “safety net” for EEA nationals is not mentioned in memo for decision makers
Truss ‘pushes back’ on FCDO job cut demands
09 Jun 2022 Policy
Truss ‘pushes back’ on FCDO job cut demands
Foreign secretary rejects 5% headcount-reduction and seeks extra staff
Public spending watchdog names eight ‘departments of concern’
26 May 2022 Policy
Public spending watchdog names eight ‘departments of concern’
PPE stockpile and backlog woes help DHSC top PAC chair's problem list
BEIS 'offered open goal to fraudsters’ with Covid loan schemes
19 May 2022 Policy
BEIS 'offered open goal to fraudsters’ with Covid loan schemes
Public Accounts Committee says the department officials failed to properly warn ministers of how severe potential fraud levels might be
Queen’s Speech: Government pledges to ‘grow and strengthen economy’ amid cost-of-living crisis
10 May 2022 Policy
Queen’s Speech: Government pledges to ‘grow and strengthen economy’ amid cost-of-living crisis
Speech includes no new measures despite saying ministers understand "how the rising cost of living is making life harder for people"
Ex-civil service head questions plans for large-scale staff cuts
03 May 2022 Policy
Ex-civil service head questions plans for large-scale staff cuts
Lord Kerslake says huge challenges require “right-sized” workforce as former civil service chief exec Manzoni issues caution over skills gaps
Rees-Mogg sets out guidance for new ‘bonfire of the quangos’
27 Apr 2022 Policy
Rees-Mogg sets out guidance for new ‘bonfire of the quangos’
Teams asked to identify minimum of 5% savings as PM eyes potential for outsourcing ALB functions
Rwanda asylum scheme will boost Home Office staff wellbeing, Patel says
19 Apr 2022 Policy
Rwanda asylum scheme will boost Home Office staff wellbeing, Patel says
But perm sec says value for money of controversial asylum-seeker plans is “highly uncertain”
PM sets out plans to treble nuclear power generation by 2050
08 Apr 2022 Policy
PM sets out plans to treble nuclear power generation by 2050
British energy security strategy dubbed “missed opportunity” by select committee chair
Shapps announces crackdown on ferry firms to combat ‘outrageous’ P&O sackings
31 Mar 2022 Policy
Shapps announces crackdown on ferry firms to combat ‘outrageous’ P&O sackings
HMRC will target resources at companies’ minimum-wage compliance and Insolvency Service will explore Hebblethwaite ban
Home Office unlawfully seized 2,000 asylum seekers' phones, court rules
29 Mar 2022 Policy
Home Office unlawfully seized 2,000 asylum seekers' phones, court rules
Almost 2,000 mobile phones were seized by the department under a blanket policy which the court ruled was unlawful and broke human rights
Ex-perm sec tells Grenfell Inquiry of ‘deep regret’ that DCLG ‘didn’t see’ its oversight role
17 Mar 2022 Policy
Ex-perm sec tells Grenfell Inquiry of ‘deep regret’ that DCLG ‘didn’t see’ its oversight role
Melanie Dawes warns other departments may have their own regulatory catastrophe hidden under the radar
British Business Bank chiefs question ex-minister’s claims on Covid loan fraud data
16 Mar 2022 Policy
British Business Bank chiefs question ex-minister’s claims on Covid loan fraud data
Barclays boss tells MPs that HMRC could have given more anti-fraud help
'There is something wrong with the way Whitehall does policy': Ex-DfE perm sec blasts ‘reality disconnect’
08 Mar 2022 Policy
'There is something wrong with the way Whitehall does policy': Ex-DfE perm sec blasts ‘reality disconnect’
Jonathan Slater says policymakers should have frontline delivery experience and be rewarded for results on the ground
Government can achieve levelling up agenda without new cash, perm sec says
02 Mar 2022 Policy
Government can achieve levelling up agenda without new cash, perm sec says
Andy Haldane says government can instead “tilt” existing budgets “in the direction of poorer areas”