Pensions, pay and voluntary exits: CSW's most-read stories of 2025
23 Dec Civil Service Reform

Pensions, pay and voluntary exits: CSW's most-read stories of 2025

Step behind the curtains – here are the 11 stories that got the most attention in 2025
by CSW
'I’ve been struck by the warmth of the welcome' – New Defra perm sec Paul Kissack reflects on his return to the department
25 Dec Energy & Environment
'I’ve been struck by the warmth of the welcome' – New Defra perm sec Paul Kissack reflects on his return to the department
Constant change and Celebrity Traitors – Cat Little on 2025’s highs, lows and the rewards to come
24 Dec Leadership
Constant change and Celebrity Traitors – Cat Little on 2025’s highs, lows and the rewards to come
‘A generational change to democracy’: Welsh Government perm sec Andrew Goodall looks ahead to 2026
24 Dec Leadership
‘A generational change to democracy’: Welsh Government perm sec Andrew Goodall looks ahead to 2026
Ambition, realism and emerging tech: Darren Tierney on tough year for ONS and hopes for 2026
23 Dec Leadership
Ambition, realism and emerging tech: Darren Tierney on tough year for ONS and hopes for 2026
The Office for National Statistics perm sec also picks his choice to turn on the Christmas lights
TikTok and LADbible: Why the government is turning to influencers
23 Dec Digital, Data & Technology
TikTok and LADbible: Why the government is turning to influencers
Numerous departments acknowledge the use of online personalities and content creators for comms purposes but questions remain concerning details of those involved and the cost to taxpayers
Civil Service People Survey: A deep dive into bullying and discrimination trends
22 Dec HR
Civil Service People Survey: A deep dive into bullying and discrimination trends
Rates of bullying and discrimination recorded in the Civil Service People Survey took an unexpected fall in 2020 – and the trend seems to have stuck. But has everyone benefited?
Trade deals, getting smaller and winning the league – DBT perm sec Gareth Davies looks back on 2025
22 Dec Leadership
Trade deals, getting smaller and winning the league – DBT perm sec Gareth Davies looks back on 2025
Davies also explains how the department will pursue economic growth in 2026
‘Government is like a sweetshop – you have to prioritise’: Mark Cheeseman's 2025 highlights
19 Dec Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
‘Government is like a sweetshop – you have to prioritise’: Mark Cheeseman's 2025 highlights
The Public Sector Fraud Authority chief exec also discusses what Thomas Edison can teach us about test and learn
Read the winter 2026 issue of Civil Service World
19 Dec Civil Service Reform
Read the winter 2026 issue of Civil Service World
This issue brings a special focus on the clean energy superpower mission, plus interviews with four perm secs and the creator of Yes, Minister
'I can do my job from home': Civil servants reflect on 60% in-office mandate
18 Dec Civil Service Reform
'I can do my job from home': Civil servants reflect on 60% in-office mandate
Two years on from its introduction, officials tell CSW what they really think of the 60% office-working rule
Right time, right people – NIO perm sec Dr Julie Harrison looks back on 2025 highlights
18 Dec Leadership
Right time, right people – NIO perm sec Dr Julie Harrison looks back on 2025 highlights
The Northern Ireland Office perm sec also picks her "obvious" choice to turn on the Christmas lights
Lionesses and letters to loved ones – DCMS perm sec Susannah Storey’s 2025 highlights
17 Dec Culture
Lionesses and letters to loved ones – DCMS perm sec Susannah Storey’s 2025 highlights
Plus, the inspiring sports star Storey would pick to turn on the Christmas lights
‘If we do not reform ourselves, others will do it instead’ – AGO's Douglas Wilson on being a leader in 2025
16 Dec Justice & Home Affairs
‘If we do not reform ourselves, others will do it instead’ – AGO's Douglas Wilson on being a leader in 2025
Attorney General’s Office DG says serious reform carries risks, but the risks of inaction could be even greater
A hard landing and the power of kindness: JP Marks reflects on first year leading HMRC
16 Dec Government Tax Profession
A hard landing and the power of kindness: JP Marks reflects on first year leading HMRC
HM Revenue and Customs perm sec says 2026 will be about “the hard yards of delivery”
‘This is change for the better, and I am confident we will deliver it’ – Peter Schofield on DWP’s year ahead
15 Dec Leadership
‘This is change for the better, and I am confident we will deliver it’ – Peter Schofield on DWP’s year ahead
Kicking off this year's perm secs roundup, the DWP perm sec also picks out his 2025 highlights, including a snowy pilgrimage across the Swiss-Italian border
Sajid Javid reflects on departments with most 'passionate' staff
12 Dec Civil Service Reform
Sajid Javid reflects on departments with most 'passionate' staff
Former chancellor speaks about risk-aversion, diary secretaries and the departments officials "really wanted to work in"
A forensic approach to reducing sickness absence: Naomi McGoun on winning the 2006 Efficiency Award
09 Dec Justice & Home Affairs
A forensic approach to reducing sickness absence: Naomi McGoun on winning the 2006 Efficiency Award
In the week of the 2025 Civil Service Awards ceremony, we invite past winners to look back at the work which helped them stand out from the crowd, reflecting on their memories of winning, how the experience shaped their careers, and their biggest lessons learned
Winning ways: Gail Peck and Barton reflect on their 2008 Wellbeing Award
09 Dec Leadership
Winning ways: Gail Peck and Barton reflect on their 2008 Wellbeing Award
To mark two decades of the Civil Service Awards, past winners look back at the work which helped them stand out from the crowd, reflecting on their memories of winning, how the experience shaped their careers, and their biggest lessons learned
It's good to talk: Sam Lister reflects on 2014 Communications Award win
09 Dec Communications
It's good to talk: Sam Lister reflects on 2014 Communications Award win
To mark two decades of the Civil Service Awards, past winners look back at the work which helped them stand out from the crowd, reflecting on their memories of winning, how the experience shaped their careers, and their biggest lessons learned
Hard work PAYES off: Suzanne Newton on winning the 2014 Operational Excellence award
09 Dec Operational Delivery
Hard work PAYES off: Suzanne Newton on winning the 2014 Operational Excellence award
To mark two decades of the Civil Service Awards, past winners look back at the work which helped them stand out from the crowd, reflecting on their memories of winning, how the experience shaped their careers, and their biggest lessons learned
Joining-up to prevent human trafficking: Emma Hopkins on winning the 2008 Cabinet Secretary's Award
09 Dec Foreign Affairs
Joining-up to prevent human trafficking: Emma Hopkins on winning the 2008 Cabinet Secretary's Award
To mark two decades of the Civil Service Awards, past winners look back at the work which helped them stand out from the crowd, reflecting on their memories of winning, how the experience shaped their careers, and their biggest lessons learned
Which departments need to improve their recruitment practices? The results are in
09 Dec HR
Which departments need to improve their recruitment practices? The results are in
Civil Service Commission's government-wide audit of recruitment finds six departments and agencies need to improve recruitment methods
Fancy a BREW? John Fletcher on winning the 2006 Programme and Project Management Award
08 Dec Project Delivery
Fancy a BREW? John Fletcher on winning the 2006 Programme and Project Management Award
In the week of the 2025 Civil Service Awards ceremony, we invite past winners to look back at the work which helped them stand out from the crowd, reflecting on their memories of winning, how the experience shaped their careers, and their biggest lessons learned
‘No two days are the same’ – why civil servants should volunteer as magistrates
05 Dec HR
‘No two days are the same’ – why civil servants should volunteer as magistrates
Civil servant Athos Ritsperis tells CSW why he has been volunteering as a magistrate for the last 15 years – and why you should consider doing the same
Trailblazing Women: Celebrating a century of progress in the civil service
04 Dec Civil Service Reform
Trailblazing Women: Celebrating a century of progress in the civil service
Civil Service World’s new Trailblazing Women project will shine a light on the leaders who broke barriers and shaped government, while offering inspiration and insight into the evolving face of public service leadership
High tax, low strategy: What the 2025 Budget tells us about the British state
02 Dec Economics
High tax, low strategy: What the 2025 Budget tells us about the British state
This Budget was another chapter in the story of a state that has not yet learned to think and act strategically
The Civil Service Awards is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate excellence in delivery
01 Dec Local & Devolved
The Civil Service Awards is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate excellence in delivery
Scottish Government permanent secretary on turning policies into tangible improvements