Curiosity, problem-solving and misconceptions: Policy profession co-heads Susan Acland-Hood and Gareth Davies set out their vision
12 Jan Policy

Curiosity, problem-solving and misconceptions: Policy profession co-heads Susan Acland-Hood and Gareth Davies set out their vision

Susan Acland-Hood and Gareth Davies have been hard at work since being named co-heads of the policy profession last summer. They talk about their plans to develop the profession, embracing generalism, and why it’s important to ask the right questions
by Beckie Smith
Universal Credit migration deadline extended as transition nears end
01 Apr Policy
Universal Credit migration deadline extended as transition nears end
Regulation ‘too often the default response’ to policy problems, report warns
18 Mar Policy
Regulation ‘too often the default response’ to policy problems, report warns
'Innovation and ideas are everywhere': Interview with former Policy Lab head Vasant Chari
16 Mar Policy
'Innovation and ideas are everywhere': Interview with former Policy Lab head Vasant Chari
Special delivery: How has government’s approach to implementation evolved?
17 Oct 2024 Policy
Special delivery: How has government’s approach to implementation evolved?
As CSW was launched in 2004, Tony Blair’s Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit was hitting its stride. Jim Dunton looks at how the centre of government’s approach to implementation has evolved
Responding to climate change and improving the natural environment – a part for everyone in creating the conditions for success? 
16 Oct 2024 Policy
Responding to climate change and improving the natural environment – a part for everyone in creating the conditions for success? 
Katy Losse, director of environment and climate change at the NAO, looks at the different roles civil servants can play in tackling one of government's biggest problems
Benefits system 'exacerbating health conditions', DWP study finds
14 Oct 2024 Policy
Benefits system 'exacerbating health conditions', DWP study finds
Claimants described benefits application process as “physically and mentally exhausting” and say health assessments can "set back their wellbeing for days"
No.10 lacks policy experience, ex-cab sec warns
10 Oct 2024 Policy
No.10 lacks policy experience, ex-cab sec warns
"There is a need for No.10 to have a lot more policy heavyweights" Gus O'Donnell says
Sue Gray’s departure is not a quick fix for the centre of government
09 Oct 2024 Policy
Sue Gray’s departure is not a quick fix for the centre of government
Keir Starmer has wielded the axe, sacking chief of staff Sue Gray and replacing her with his former head of political strategy Morgan McSweeney. But it will take more than changes of personnel to fix the centre of government
Trust in politics and government is shot. Meaningful participation could help fix it
03 Oct 2024 Policy
Trust in politics and government is shot. Meaningful participation could help fix it
Civil servants can play a crucial role in turning the tide by using participative approaches like citizen panels – but only if they’re well-designed and meaningful
Home Office publishes internal 'roots of Windrush' report after FoI battle
27 Sep 2024 Policy
Home Office publishes internal 'roots of Windrush' report after FoI battle
Damning long-view document tracing historical background to scandal was created in response to Wendy Williams' review
Covid Inquiry: Whitty says UK's 'very low' ICU capacity was 'political choice'
27 Sep 2024 Policy
Covid Inquiry: Whitty says UK's 'very low' ICU capacity was 'political choice'
Chief medical officer admits he still worries about whether the threat posed by Covid was "overpitched" to the public
The language of mission-led government is compelling. But the 'how' really matters
23 Sep 2024 Policy
The language of mission-led government is compelling. But the 'how' really matters
Starmer’s government is committed to being “mission-driven”. What are the challenges to delivering on this? And what could make it happen?
Think tank sets out how government can drive change in health sector
17 Sep 2024 Policy
Think tank sets out how government can drive change in health sector
Project led by Ara Darzi and Sally Davies calls for "Climate Change Commission" approach to push cross-departmental working
Starmer appoints delivery guru Michael Barber for 'missions' drive
13 Sep 2024 Policy
Starmer appoints delivery guru Michael Barber for 'missions' drive
Mastermind of Blair-era Prime Minister's Delivery Unit will serve as unpaid "adviser on effective delivery"
Sunak ignored police chiefs' warning to act on prisons crisis before election
10 Sep 2024 Policy
Sunak ignored police chiefs' warning to act on prisons crisis before election
Police bosses warned Sunak that “simply waiting for a new government to be formed after the election" to tackle the crisis would be "an unacceptable delay in mitigation”