While some financiers caused our current economic difficulties, others might just provide investments that our public services desperately require. Joshua Chambers examines some unusual ways of generating funding.

After 37 years on Whitehall Stephen Laws, the government’s top drafter of legislation, is retiring. Suzannah Brecknell grabs him on his way out of the door to discuss a life spent writing laws for seven prime ministers

Nick Boles is a key Tory thinker: a man who devised many flagship policies and prepared his party for government. But Matt Ross finds him refreshingly straight-talking as he discusses politics, policymaking and the civil service.

Richard Douglas, the head of the Government Finance Profession, believes that finance skills will soon be essential for career progression across the senior civil service. He explains why to Joshua Chambers.

Frontline: Forensic medical examiner A doctor working with the police worries about the effect of outsourcing on the care of vulnerable people

Many public sector projects struggle to stay on time and on budget, and civil servants are under growing pressure to improve their game. Joshua Chambers asks the experts how government can avoid project management pitfalls.

With infrastructure development a key plank of the government’s growth strategy, the Treasury’s investment team Infrastructure UK has an ever-more important role to play. Suzannah Brecknell meets its chief, Geoffrey Spence.

Which technologies will change the way we work, and which are just a flash in the pan? Suzannah Brecknell reports on a discussion of how new technologies are set to transform government’s interactions with the public.

The incoming cabinet secretary and head of the civil service, Jeremy Heywood and Bob Kerslake, are taking on their new jobs at a time of unprecedented financial, policy and political challenges. Matt Ross meets them.

After 15 years in the civil service – including a stint as the cabinet secretary’s communications chief – Siobhan Benita is making the leap into politics. Matt Ross meets the would-be London mayor as she kicks off her campaign.

International economic challenges and public service strategies were discussed at the first Global Public Service Leaders’ Summit, which brought together civil service chiefs from around the world. Suzannah Brecknell reports.

A workforce development manager says cuts have hit local authority support for vulnerable young people.

Frauds and mistakes cost the public sector about £20bn a year. Stuart Watson examines the efforts underway to spot criminal activity and government errors, and to end the chronic leakage from ever-shrinking public budgets.

Permanent Secretary, Department for International Development

Ian Watmore is the chief operating officer of the Cabinet Office's Efficiency and Reform Group. On 1 January he will become the Cabinet Office permanent secretary

Director General and HM Government Chief Information Officer, Corporate IT,

Department for Work and Pensions

Permanent Secretary, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Permanent Secretary and Head of HM Diplomatic Service, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Head of Government HR Operations and Director General, Civil Service Capability Group, Cabinet Office; and Director General, Human Resources, Department for Work and Pensions

Executive Director, Major Projects Authority, Efficiency and Reform Group, Cabinet Office

Permanent Secretary, Welsh Government

Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and Secretary to the Executive, Northern Ireland Executive

HM Procurator-General, Treasury Solicitor and Head of the Government Legal Service, Treasury Solicitor's Department

Permanent Secretary, Scottish Government