News

Sarah Healey says response to Brexit shows the civil service at its best

Simon Case and Katrina Williams join the UK Permanent Representation to the European Union, as government prepares to issue Article 50 notification

Institute for Government report highlights “persistent weaknesses” that cause costly policy churn, prescribing a stronger role for MPs and the centre of government to stop unnecessary changes and secure institutional memory

Find out more about work to expand apprenticeships in Whitehall and beyond

Scottish first minister uses hastily-arranged press conference to say she will ask Theresa May for second referendum by spring 2019 

Longstanding top scientist at the environment department heading for the exit, in move Defra says comes at "natural end" of his fixed term

International trade secretary's warning comes after reports officials in his department were dismissive of Commonwealth trade plan

New appointments in the civil service, UK politics, and public affairs, via our colleagues at Dods People

Pact pledges “appropriate” pay for new starters and protects salaries of existing staff members who retrain under apprenticeship proposals

With staff numbers and responsibilities growing, DCMS is undergoing something of a renaissance. Permanent secretary Sue Owen tells Suzannah Brecknell about the importance of leadership, the value of culture, and the power of music

IfG says realism is needed on the scale of the EU divorce challenge

Alexandra Jones set to leave Centre for Cities to take up new role

Public Accounts Committee says economic case is “crystal clear” for both houses to relocate for the duration of a £3.9bn overhaul

We shouldn't have to wait until the wheels fall off to find that cuts to services have gone way beyond any sustainable level, argues the former DWP permanent secretary

Watchdog’s anger follows government response to committee’s Grimstone Review findings

Fledgling ministry offers £90,000 a year for senior officer to deliver “single device” for international trade staff to work with

Departmental chiefs must work to create an environment that’s good for body and mind

Hammond avoids big tweaks to Whitehall budgets, but targets extra funding for social care and business rate relief

Treasury trails Hammond's first Budget, as OECD upgrades UK growth forecast

RSA says power in the UK remains "too centralised" – and urges central government to give more freedom to local authorities to tackle regional imbalances

Union calls for independent review of pay as it warns that maintaining a 1% cap on pay rises is “unsustainable”

Continuing pay cap would mean up to 20% drop in average civil service earnings by 2020, union analysis reveals

After decades of reviews aimed at driving down the civil service's running costs, Sir Michael Barber, former chief of Blair's delivery unit, is hailed by one Whitehall-watcher as "much less celebrity and much more focused on getting the job done"

Chancellor will not use improved growth forecasts to borrow more money, it is reported