Interview: Ex-perm sec Moira Wallace on tackling youth disadvantage under New Labour – and lessons for driving change today
28 Oct Project Delivery

Interview: Ex-perm sec Moira Wallace on tackling youth disadvantage under New Labour – and lessons for driving change today

With the government aiming to break the link between a young person’s start in life and the opportunities they have, Wallace tells CSW about the work she led to tackle entrenched social problems
by Suzannah Brecknell
Civil Service Awards 2025 shortlist announced
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Civil Service Awards 2025 shortlist announced
Building Digital UK to become unit within DSIT in latest quango closure
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Building Digital UK to become unit within DSIT in latest quango closure
Weak oversight and overly complex design: DESNZ criticised for insulation failings
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Weak oversight and overly complex design: DESNZ criticised for insulation failings
PCS 'extremely concerned' by DWP Caxton House closure plan
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PCS 'extremely concerned' by DWP Caxton House closure plan
Union boss raises concerns that staff may be “squeezed into inadequate office space”
Starmer acknowledges skills challenges facing civil service
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Starmer acknowledges skills challenges facing civil service
PM tells MPs he's "focused" on delivering more technology into government
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Treasury offers £200k a year for new infrastructure body chief
NISTA will combine functions of National Infrastructure Commission and Infrastructure and Projects Authority
IPA chief Nick Smallwood discusses looming change and the ultimate Christmas gift
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IPA chief Nick Smallwood discusses looming change and the ultimate Christmas gift
The Infrastructure and Projects Authority boss also reflects on a "remarkable" 2024
Cabinet Office scraps 'ambitious and expensive' vetting transformation programme
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Cabinet Office scraps 'ambitious and expensive' vetting transformation programme
Perm sec Cat Little says strategy to modernise and improve vetting services has moved away from previous "big bang" approach
Darlington hub gets planning permission
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Darlington hub gets planning permission
Government building, set for completion in 2027, will provide offices for more than 1,400 civil servants
Senior Tory 'tremendously encouraged' by Labour's plans for delivery
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'Don’t surprise a politician': PAC chair Meg Hillier on accountability, openness and collecting 'Yes, Minister moments'
Meg Hillier has spent nearly a decade investigating the ins and outs of government delivery in her role as chair of the Public Accounts Committee. What wisdom can she share with officials and future ministers?
Labour's clean-power pledge will require 'immediate action' from departments, IfG warns
28 Jun 2024 Project Delivery
Labour's clean-power pledge will require 'immediate action' from departments, IfG warns
Think tank says party's accelerated 2030 deadline faces 10 clear barriers Starmer must address if he becomes PM
Think tank makes argument for delivery units across government
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Think tank makes argument for delivery units across government
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Home Office replacement for 'defective' IT system delayed again
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Home Office replacement for 'defective' IT system delayed again
Concerns raised that government has not learned lessons from Windrush scandal
Chisholm to become UK chair of energy giant EDF
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Chisholm to become UK chair of energy giant EDF
Alex Chisholm led BEIS when it struck Hinkley Point C deal with energy giant in 2016 but watchdog says risk of foul play is minimal
Public site for government evaluations delayed due to resourcing issues
31 May 2024 Project Delivery
Public site for government evaluations delayed due to resourcing issues
Registry developed after watchdog MPs raised concerns over use and transparency of evaluations across government
Home Office under fire for lack of transparency on Rwanda plans
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Home Office under fire for lack of transparency on Rwanda plans
MPs have "little confidence" in department's ability to implement controversial asylum partnership "given its track record"
Post-Brexit border plan suffering from resourcing and oversight issues, NAO warns
20 May 2024 Project Delivery
Post-Brexit border plan suffering from resourcing and oversight issues, NAO warns
Watchdog says government's border plan lacks an integrated cross-government delivery plan, while programmes face resourcing uncertainty
Skills deficit leaves departments 'too reliant on suppliers' for major projects, MPs say
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Skills deficit leaves departments 'too reliant on suppliers' for major projects, MPs say
A lack of project-management, technical and engineering skills is undermining projects, PAC report warns
Civil service leaders must get better at deep listening
02 May 2024 Project Delivery
Civil service leaders must get better at deep listening
Does it bother you as much as it does me that across government, we can still be way too slow to spot and act on serious problems before they materialise or grow into national scandals?
Free childcare expansion 'feasible', DfE says amid concern over provision of places
05 Apr 2024 Project Delivery
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
HMRC rapped for 'unsatisfactory' assurances on Making Tax Digital
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HMRC rapped for 'unsatisfactory' assurances on Making Tax Digital
PAC urges perm sec to "reconsider" answers on how department will address concerns about accountability and software
Cutting civil service jobs could cost more in the long run, PAC chair warns
28 Mar 2024 Project Delivery
Cutting civil service jobs could cost more in the long run, PAC chair warns
Meg Hillier's annual report calls for urgent investment in "big nasties" including ageing IT, the schools estate and hospitals
Delving under the surface – how government can save billions by tackling fraud and error
21 Mar 2024 Project Delivery
Delving under the surface – how government can save billions by tackling fraud and error
The National Audit Office is increasingly focusing on how government is tackling fraud and error and, as the NAO's director of fraud and propriety Joshua Reddaway argues, billions could be saved by getting this right
Major projects: NAO report highlights need for ‘clear vision’ and better evaluation
26 Feb 2024 Project Delivery
Major projects: NAO report highlights need for ‘clear vision’ and better evaluation
The public spending watchdog has worked with officials to come up with advice on how to get value from major projects
Boosting public sector productivity could save tens of billions – NAO
16 Jan 2024 Project Delivery
Boosting public sector productivity could save tens of billions – NAO
"It is relatively easy to cut spending" if government takes the right steps, Gareth Davies will tell MPs today
Departments’ funding woes could hamper £229m data-sharing platform
16 Jan 2024 Project Delivery
Departments’ funding woes could hamper £229m data-sharing platform
National statistician Ian Diamond updates MPs as Integrated Data Service moves towards full rollout