The government faces tough choices on spending, and it’s time it involved the public in that discussion

As the OneTeamGov LGBT* gender identity and sexual orientation event kicks off in Manchester, Jonathan Mills, executive team gender identity and sexual orientation champion at the Department for Work and Pensions, writes about why providing a space to bring LGBT communities together and share ideas.

Norman Strauss recently argued in CSW that there was a need to create a new ministry for the opposition to help change the civil service and share its expertise more widely across society. In this response, Catherine Haddon, a senior fellow and resident historian at the Institute for Government, sets out why she thinks such a proposal is flawed

The Northern Ireland Renewable Heat Incentive Inquiry shows what can happen when these values are undermined, writes the FDA chief

HMRC has been at the forefront of the government’s smarter working agenda, and is attempting to change the culture across one of government’s biggest organisations. There are lessons for other departments in the progress so far, says Luke Heselwood

Parliament’s important role of policymaking is not well understood by all civil servants. As its work on Brexit increases, it is time to change that

The civil service has many skills but finds itself resistant to change. It needs to disseminate itself more widely across society – and a new ministry for the opposition could do it, according to Margaret Thatcher’s former policy advisor Norman Strauss

The lack of consultation over civil service pay has meant that trade unions have had to turn to the law to get the government to the table. It shouldn’t be this way, says the head of the FDA

The civil service values two types of knowledge, writes former senior civil servant Andrew Greenway, and understanding of policy is trumped by the skill of navigating Whitehall itself

Allegations against the former Scottish first minister have hit the headlines, but the Scottish Government has an independent process for dealing with sexual harassment complaints. The UK government needs the same, says FDA’s assistant general secretary Amy Leversidge

Former MP for Grismby Austin Mitchell’s new book is one that future historians will have on their reading lists, writes Sue Cameron

Geraldine Clement explains how she harnessed her own humble beginnings to push for the civil service to do more to support staff from disadvantaged backgrounds

England’s World Cup performances brought the nation together. It also provides lessons for implementing change in government, says former Number 10 Delivery Unit chief Sir Michael Barber

Ross Duncan, of HM Passport Office, says the civil service should make the most of people with neurodiverse conditions as it prepares for an era of digital government and automation

With no way to relieve the pressure of secrecy, a closed government is "fundamentally unsustainable, and guaranteed to fail", argues Andrew Greenway

The government has effectively told civil servants it values them less than other public sector workers, says Prospect’s deputy general secretary. This cannot go unchallenged

Michelle Clement reviews a guide to digital transformation, written by the people who’ve been there and bought the T-shirt

It might not yet top the government’s priority list, but no one should underestimate the challenges of the next Spending Review

The land of NHS founder Aneurin Bevan, Wales has seen a lot of changes since the health service was created 70 years ago. The Welsh Government’s top health official Andrew Goodall reflects on the enduring legacy of one of the nation’s favourite sons

Wonder what the next ten years hold for the NHS? Better ask the people who really drive change in the health service – the public, says Roy Lilley

FDA general secretary says ministers must step up and champion their civil servants after "contemptible” process led unions to call for Treasury pay guidance to be withdrawn

Academics love nothing more than conversations with like-minded thinkers trying to solve problems. Here’s how the civil service can use these discussions to improve policy

Ministers have reiterated the government’s support for plans to boost diversity in public appointments. But departments need to do more to make sure a wide variety of groups are aware of public appointments, says Peter Riddell, the Commissioner for Public Appointments

The new pay remit is not acceptable and government departments and agencies need to stand up to the Cabinet Office and the Treasury to get fair and funded increases for staff, says Prospect’s Garry Graham