News

Perm sec Antonia Romeo lauds department’s ability to “highest-calibre talent” after recruiting John Mahon

The former permanent secretary of the Scottish Government discusses career management, financial crises and referendums over sandwiches with Richard Johnstone

Perm sec Antonia Romeo argues delaying work until the department has statutory powers would put Brexit readiness at risk, in the third Whitehall direction for post-EU spending

The UK government needs to set out proposals – not just send negotiators – to make progress on post-Brexit trade, says the Institute for Government’s Jill Rutter

Home secretary Amber Rudd announced that UK cyber defences will be tested in major security war game

ONS outlines work streams to expand measurements of loneliness and wellbeing inequality

Call for evidence from independent inspector comes as department plays key role in cross-Whitehall preparations for Brexit

Government set to target detailed trade arrangements with the European Union ahead of next March’s exit dates  

An in-depth review of the effectiveness of the civil service has focused in on the relationship between officials and political leaders as the key fault line. If it can be improved, so can policy delivery, Andrew Kakabadse tells Richard Johnstone

Cabinet Office announces new measures to clamp down on late payments to SMEs in supply chain

Former transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin says collapse of contract “was a big mistake” but prompted review of rail franchise system

DfT Lab develops machine learning prototype to sort parliamentary questions coming into the department

New mechanisms required to enable all four governments to jointly agree post-Brexit policy, according to think tank

Home secretary to publish serious violence strategy, including early intervention programme, amid spike in homicides

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

Departmental advisor to secretary of state Michael Gove proposes move to tackle grey squirrel population

DCMS perm sec Sue Owen says staff want greater clarity on unacceptable behaviour and more support for whistleblowers

Health department propping up the figures on ethnic diversity at senior levels, IfG analysis finds

Question mark over £5bn 2020 target as 2016-17 sales bring in just £601m

Foreign Affairs Committee argues FCO must develop a strategy and commit resources to the network of former British territories

As mega-deal with Capgemini and Fujitsu nears conclusion, department advertises for professional to lead management of contracts with up to 200 technology suppliers 

The departure of the director of public prosecutions is just one example where public servants have faced scrutiny from a hostile media. It is time ministers had the courage to challenge unwarranted media attacks

Transferring data policy to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is a welcome move, but the government needs to be clear about what it wants to do with all this data

Dr Patrick Vallance takes up post after appointment last November