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
Treasury launches new crackdown on ‘public service inefficiencies and waste’
20 Jan Policy
Treasury launches new crackdown on ‘public service inefficiencies and waste’
HMRC reinstates 17,000 frozen child benefit cases after checks error
20 Jan Policy
HMRC reinstates 17,000 frozen child benefit cases after checks error
Military chief sounds alarm over £28bn MoD ‘black hole’
09 Jan Policy
Military chief sounds alarm over £28bn MoD ‘black hole’
FCDO 'neglecting disabled people' in international development work
08 Apr 2024 Policy
FCDO 'neglecting disabled people' in international development work
MPs say gender-equality spending is monitored in a way that that disability inclusion work is not
Free childcare expansion 'feasible', DfE says amid concern over provision of places
05 Apr 2024 Policy
Free childcare expansion 'feasible', DfE says amid concern over provision of places
But a potential shortfall of childcare places is a risk to the reforms, according to perm sec Susan Acland-Hood
Productivity puzzle corner: The Efficiency Wars redux
28 Mar 2024 Policy
Productivity puzzle corner: The Efficiency Wars redux
In a new series of articles, Professor Colin Talbot will explore public sector productivity in the UK. This issue is increasingly on the agenda of both main contenders as they vie to form the next government and is something that will likely occupy civil servants whoever wins
Departments 'face months of funding uncertainty', OBR chair says
13 Mar 2024 Policy
Departments 'face months of funding uncertainty', OBR chair says
MPs are warned that lack of detail on spending beyond March 2025 will hamper leaders' abilty to plan
Perm secs get flak over action to combat fraud and corruption
12 Mar 2024 Policy
Perm secs get flak over action to combat fraud and corruption
Public Accounts Committee chair questions commitments to transparency and flags "vagueness" on investment for recovery work
MPs voice value-for-money fears over ballooning government borrowing
05 Mar 2024 Policy
MPs voice value-for-money fears over ballooning government borrowing
Public Accounts Committee also flags concerns over loss of institutional knowledge at Debt Management Office
Civil service spending on temporary staff hit £7.4bn last year
01 Mar 2024 Policy
Civil service spending on temporary staff hit £7.4bn last year
Contingent-labour costs increased by 4.5% across government but Cabinet Office's bill soared by 20%
Government's 'fiscal rules' aren't working and must be reformed, IfG warns
29 Feb 2024 Policy
Government's 'fiscal rules' aren't working and must be reformed, IfG warns
Think tank's proposals would give departments a "minimum" of two years' worth of firm spending plans
Labour would introduce citizens' assemblies, Sue Gray says
19 Feb 2024 Policy
Labour would introduce citizens' assemblies, Sue Gray says
Civil servants “will not like this because they have no control”, former top official warns
Covid Inquiry: WhatsApp confusion, pandemic politicking and sidelining the secretary of state
02 Feb 2024 Policy
Covid Inquiry: WhatsApp confusion, pandemic politicking and sidelining the secretary of state
Nicola Sturgeon insists decision-making records have not been lost as ministers accuse former SNP leader of trying to score points against Westminster
Civil service leaders face new back-to-office performance regime
24 Jan 2024 Policy
Civil service leaders face new back-to-office performance regime
John Glen says he wants success with 60:40 rule factored into senior officials' yearly reviews
Alarm over plans to make civil servants ignore ECHR Rwanda rulings
17 Jan 2024 Policy
Alarm over plans to make civil servants ignore ECHR Rwanda rulings
Mooted plans to change civil service code described by unions as "madness" and "desperate"