Policy

Researchers warn about lack of transparency over evidence behind policies announced in big fiscal events

 Former head of the civil service Lord Kerslake urges government to "pause, review, take stock of what it has in front of it and then revisit the question of capacity"

UK Statistics Authority says DfE's now-deleted grammar schools claim was based on incomparable data

Exclusive: Ian Watmore tells CSW he is "absolutely convinced" that the current crop of ministers "wants to preserve Northcote-Travelyan" model of an impartial civil service, as he sets out focus on diversity, skills and leadership

Mark Leftly reports on growing support among parliament's influential select committees to let MPs "blackball" ministers' choices for key public sector jobs

Manzoni and Gummer convene refreshed advisory panel as government reiterates commitment to channel 33% of procurement spend through SMEs

 House of Lords Constitution Committee session told that wealth of academic data is often ignored

"We’re forever doing accountability ex-post," says the former cabinet secretary, as MPs kick off their new inquiry into the future of the civil service

Independence fears prompt U-turn as Children and Social Work Bill enters report stage in House of Lords

Exclusive: David Cameron’s policy guru and former Cabinet Office minister warns agains "jargon-ridden, non-sensical, useless, distracting management speak" and argues for better treatment of civil servants to compensate for pay restraints

"We do not require wider education legislation in this session to make progress on our ambitious education agenda," says education secretary

Public Accounts Committee urges Cabinet Office to boost departments’ oversight of quangos – and share accountability good practice more widely