Author Profile

As winners of the Analysis and Use of Evidence Award at the 2014 Civil Service Awards, DfID’s Humanitarian Innovation and Evidence Programme is at the forefront of Whitehall’s shift towards evidence-based policy. Sarah Aston meets team leader Dr Joanna Macrae

Ministers often criticise civil servants for not understanding the workings of Westminster. So what can officials do to ensure that parliament doesn’t leave them baffled? Sarah Aston reports

Business secretary tells MPs that axing Department for Business, Innovation and Skills would be a "step backwards". But he asks: "Do we need 80 locations?"

Interim chief inspector of probation Paul Wilson tells CSW he is optimistic about the 'Transforming Rehabilitation' scheme – but warns over “more for less” culture

The controversial privatisation of probation services is no “omnishambles”, interim chief inspector Paul Wilson tells Sarah Aston. But he does worry that resource pressures could lead to a repeat of the Daniel Sonnex tragedy

Regulator overseeing civil service recruitment makes four appointments – with strong emphasis on private sector backgrounds

Civil service gender champion Melanie Dawes acknowledges past failure on diversity challenge, but says senior civil service committed to tackling “dangers of group think”

MoJ digital services manager Gavin Bell shares insight into government’s digital challenges as he steps down from role for private sector post

Tim Kelsey to step down as NHS England’s national director for patients and information

Director general for civil service reform to take up post as Home Office’s second permanent secretary, with responsibility for immigration and free movement

When members of the public want to complain about government bodies, it falls to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to investigate. Sarah Aston speaks to the watchdog's newly-appointed non-executive directors Julia Tabreham and Ruth Sawtell about efforts to simplify the system, and change the perception that complaining doesn't make a difference

Current deputy director for innovation at the Intellectual Property Office, Ceri Witchard, to oversee community interest companies

What’s life like at the sharp end of public services? A modern foreign languages teacher tells Sarah Aston about the pros and cons of changes to the schools system

Ofqual’s chief regulator announces plans to step down in February 2016

Justice department to run policy fellowships to expand “pool of people” delivering extensive reform programme

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs appoints Emma Howard Boyd to agency

Cabinet secretary says proposed purdah rule change is needed to eliminate legal uncertainty for ministers, and says civil service impartiality will not be undermined

Outgoing Foreign Office permanent secretary stresses the need for “balance” between the centre of government and individual departments ahead of further reforms

Civil service must avoid culture of “delegating up” and take ownership of policy delivery, says civil service chief John Manzoni

UK’s representative to the UN Sir Mark Lyall-Grant will succeed Sir Kim Darroch as David Cameron’s national security adviser

Sir David Normington eyes candidates with private sector experience as body overseeing civil service appointments seeks new commissioners

Richard Heaton to succeed Ursula Brennan as MoJ permanent secretary, while civil service chief executive John Manzoni given Heaton's Cabinet Office perm sec remit

Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin appoints TfL commissioner Sir Peter Hendy as new chair of Network Rail as agency is blamed for delays to rail improvements

Report by the National Audit Office says Department for Communities and Local Government must learn from coalition government’s scheme to sell public land for new homes

Stereotyped as masters of the dark arts, what role do special advisers really play? As a new crop arrives in Whitehall, Sarah Aston asked some veteran spads to share their war stories

Former cabinet secretary Lord O’Donnell calls on new Cabinet Office minister Matt Hancock to scrap a rule which means fast streamers must change jobs every six months

Civil Service World survey finds civil servants undecided over whether departments still make sense as services move online

Kate Collyer appointed to the new role of deputy chief economic adviser at the Competition and Markets Authority

As winners of the Analysis and Use of Evidence Award at the 2014 Civil Service Awards, DfID’s Humanitarian Innovation and Evidence Programme is at the forefront of Whitehall’s shift towards evidence-based policy. Sarah Aston meets team leader Dr Joanna Macrae

 The next government must build on existing Whitehall reforms if it wants to avoid mid-term failures, says think tank the Institute for Government

From the homeless and crime victims to the abused children of Rotherham, Louise Casey has spent her career fighting for society’s most vulnerable. Sarah Aston meets her. Photos by Tal Cohen

MPs on the Public Accounts Committee warn commercial skills gap at Defence Equipment and Support will undermine MoD efforts to reduce costs if not addressed

Amendment to Civil Service Code over contact with the media sparks transparency row with trade unions FDA and PCS, but Cabinet Office says it is providing clarity

 Vince Cable confirms Ruth McKernan to step into Iain Gray's shoes at business innovation body

Business minister Matt Hancock appoints Graham Farrant as new chief executive of the Land Registry

Officials invited to 'speed-dating’ networking event to raise awareness of flexible working options