The coalition’s plans for energy markets put the government centre stage, with a key role in setting prices. Stuart Watson explains the pressures on this key area of policymaking, and examines the energy department’s plans

Does the quality of your work make your time more valuable than that of your peers? Four top officials gave their thoughts on performance-related pay during a panel discussion. Suzannah Brecknell was listening

The number of HR workers has shrunk by over a third in three years. But while HR departments haven’t enjoyed distributing P45s to their own staff, managers are proud that service quality hasn’t suffered. Colin Marrs reports.

The government’s tax collectors have for years occupied the bottom slot in the civil service’s staff morale rankings. Colin Marrs learned how managers have changed tack in order to tackle deep-seated problems

In an increasingly open society, even MI6 has to change the way it operates – and at Civil Service Live, the Secret Intelligence Service’s head Sir John Sawers made a rare public appearance. Joshua Chambers reports

Violence in the home can’t be prevented if funding continues to be cut, says a charity worker

The fitting of small-scale renewable energy generation equipment on the government estate could help cut costs and reduce CO2 emissions. But Nick Schoon finds that nobody is leading on this potentially important agenda

Following their January debut, the civil service’s leading duo are taking the stage again – this time to champion the Civil Service Reform Plan. Matt Ross asks about politicisation, centralisation, and unwelcome press attention

Parliamentary efforts to hold government more closely to account include reforming how British intelligence agencies are overseen. Joshua Chambers reports on a committee walking the line between light and shade

Departments are breaking down integrated IT contracts, and bringing in ‘SIAMs’ to manage their new supplier systems. Winnie Agbonlahor reports on a round table held to discuss how this new model can be implemented.

Squeezed between declining rainfall and a growing population, water supply is a growing environmental challenge. Stuart Watson examines how departments can increase their water-efficiency before supplies dry up

The government is moving fast to make better use of cloud computing – but concerns remain over security, particularly when Whitehall shares a virtual space with other organisations. Mark Rowe examines the issues.

Arguments over the Energy Bill have pitched the Treasury against the energy department, and veteran Tory MP Tim Yeo against the government. Colin Marrs examines what has emerged from its third Commons reading

The Cabinet Office wants civil servants to leave the public sector as employee-owned contractors to government, but a CSW survey reveals that few are interested – and explains why. Joshua Chambers digs into the results.

Here, government is generally seen as a benevolent institution with limited powers. Joshua Chambers has visited a place that demonstrates how, without democratic control, government can be chillingly, ruthlessly effective

Since last year, the PM and DPM have been noisily pushing for the rapid implementation of coalition policies. Matt Ross meets Will Cavendish, whose job it is to chivvy departments into delivering on the government’s promises

A planning worker says transparency and localism are laudable in principle – and problematic in practice

In the past, government campaigns have sometimes resembled a Tower of Babel, with dozens of voices talking about their own ideas. Joshua Chambers examines the emerging plans to bring coherence to communications

Suppliers are interested in low-carbon goods and services, but doubts over demand limit investment. Becky Slack examines carbon compacts, which demonstrate that customers really are hungry for eco-friendly supplies

Legal Services Commission chief Matthew Coats has a reputation for carrying problematic services through political storms. Matt Ross asks him about organisational reform, service quality – and the looming cuts to legal aid

Under Labour, the Cabinet Office reviewed departments’ capabilities – but these days, departments examine their own performance before producing Capability Action Plans. Ben Willis sets out their findings, warts and all

As the government prepares its civil service reform plans, CSW has carried out a major survey of civil servants – testing views both on how Whitehall is changing, and how it should change. Joshua Chambers reports.

The coalition promises more public contracts for small businesses – but we’ve heard this language before, without seeing much in the way of results. Becky Slack meets the man tasked with turning rhetoric into reality