Author Profile

Treasury committee launches inquiry into the impact of childcare policy on the economy, which will include HMRC’s role

Rob Behrens understands the importance of learning from other people’s difficult experiences. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman tells Richard Johnstone how his international work has shaped his approach, and how he hasn’t given up on a plan to merge with other ombudsmen

Department issues rebuttal to claims that it misled the public over the changes to the colour of passports following Brexit

Whitehall departments to be told there are ‘no excuses’ for lack of Brexit preparation

With the end of 2017 fast approaching, we asked the UK's top civil servants to look back at the year, outline their goals for 2018 – and tell us what they cannot do Christmas without

BEIS says funding will also extend opening hours and protect rural branches

Departmental figures show that seven big government departments have an average pay gap of over 10%

Cabinet Office Single Departmental Plan also reveals proposals for a new shared services strategy as part of moves to boost commercial capability

Staff at agency near the bottom of the civil service pay satisfaction table, but unable to take strike action

ONS figures reveal 300 staff moving from BEIS to DfE following shift in responsibility for further education

Auditor review of Green Investment Bank privatisation concludes efforts to ensure firm’s liabilities were off the public sector balance sheet could have reduced sale price

Cabinet secretary makes “statement of intent” about future rights to work in government

Government response to Public Accounts Committee report also confirms consultation plan for new regime to tackle unpaid VAT by online marketplaces

NAO report calls on the government to ensure regulatory reforms can improve student perceptions of value for money

Letter from Cabinet Office minister Damian Green says government will consider a cap-busting increase “in return for improvements to public sector productivity”

Treasury guidance also expands role for ministers in requests for direction from departmental agencies and arm’s length bodies

Infrastructure and Projects Authority says new team will be created to ensure costs and schedules of major schemes are achievable

Department claims that giving French firm a contract extension – without competitive process – is ‘only viable route’ to completing decoupling process

After a shaky start, the Crown Commercial Service is changing the way it works with departments in a bid to improve the government’s buying habits. But chief executive Malcolm Harrison tells Richard Johnstone that its success shouldn’t be measured by savings alone, as he sets out the frustrations – and fun – of cross-government working

Flagship government document identifies four "grand challenges" that UK must address to take advantage of global economic trends

Departmental allocations from new tranche of Brexit cash to be agreed “in early 2018”

Pilots to develop new public value frameworks will be taken forward next year

Report by MPs concluded that departments did not show ministers risks of different possible funding schemes for Hinckley Point C nuclear scheme

The former second perm sec in the Department for Work and Pensions-turned benefits advisor has been both poacher and gamekeeper in Whitehall. He shares the lessons from both sides of the fence, including for Brexit, with Richard Johnstone.

Civil service poll results also reveal less than four in ten know how their work contributes to this plan

Government stats watchdog reverses 2015 decision to classify sector as part of the public sector after deregulation legislation

Mike Parsons takes top role at Government Property Unit as it prepares to launch Government Property Agency

Cabinet Office minister Caroline Nokes says Government Digital Service has "come of age", and insists she has never met an obstructive civil servant

RAC says plans to introduce clean air zones in cities could be hindered by lack of access to information

Tax department chief reveals HMRC has requested but not received more details on the Paradise Papers document leak on offshore investment

Civil service policy profession chief Chris Wormald credited with interest in pledge to boost evidence base for decisions

Figures show that spending with smaller firms fell for over half of Whitehall departments that reported figures

Number of parts moved between Navy vessels has increased by 50% in five years say auditors

Tax collection agency says that work to tackle avoidance and evasion is paying off to tune of £12bn a year

Electronics and telecommunications expert Dr Mike Short named to post after six-month search

HMRC chief says the organisation will present a ‘reprioritisation’ plan to ministers next year, and plans to hire more staff as Brexit workload increases