Author Profile

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

It's a Civil Service Live tradition that after we’ve finished on the last day, the whole team heads across the road to Miran Masala for a celebratory curry.

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

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 Civil Service Benevolent Fund has rebranded, been given a new name, and switched the focus of its services to concentrate on information and advice rather than financial assistance.

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

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

Roy F. Baumeister and John Tierney

Published by Allen Lane

Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London

Fast-falling budgets have prompted changes in Whitehall’s communications operations. New comms chief Jenny Grey tells Becky Slack that her colleagues must talk more across departmental and professional boundaries

A new report raises concerns over the Treasury’s handling of the financial crisis, and sets out ways in which it should be equipping itself to face the eurozone crisis. Colin Marrs explains and tests its key recommendations.

The aircraft carrier replacement programme has been dogged by indecision, delays and rising costs – and now a U-turn looms. Becky Slack examines one of Britain’s biggest and most dysfunctional public procurements.

45 St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4HX

020 3544 0352

Rigid structures and poor data limit the civil service’s ability to make use of its skills. But Stuart Watson learns that by mapping existing expertise, departments can set training priorities and move staff to where they’re needed

The number of ‘ministerial directions’ spiked in 2009-10, as accounting officers were asked to fund the economic stimulus in the run-up to an unpredictable election. Their numbers may rise again soon, finds Becky Slack

An inner-city school struggles to juggle the demands of disadvantaged pupils and national attainment targets

Charities, civic engagement, public services reform and localism are at the heart of the government’s vision. However, the realisation of its vision of better services and more engaged citizens within the context of rapidly reducing budgets requires creative thinking. Charities have a unique role to play in building the society and services of the future, but those ambitions seem likely to remain unfulfilled if the right support and dialogue with government is not in place.

Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London 

www.royalcourttheatre.com

Until 5 April

Almeida Theatre, Islington

www.almeida.co.uk

Until 10 March

The loss of a train construction contract overseas has left coalition ministers arguing that civil servants should hand more contracts to UK firms. Stuart Watson examines the room for manoeuvre available within EU rules.

66 Broadway, Westminster

London SW1H 1DB

The civil service has to develop specialist policymaking skills, says Lord Darzi – and that requires topical professional qualifications

A doctor says the NHS’s priorities are all wrong: pettifogging rules are rigorously enforced, but the Working Time Directive is pretty much ignored

An academy to develop project leadership skills among senior officials, launched this week by Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude, will become a model for addressing skills gaps across government, according to head of the civil service Sir Bob Kerslake.

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

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

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

Permanent Secretary, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs