Civil Service Reform

Two reports – from Reform and Lord Holmes – flag up the transformational potential of the distributed ledger technology

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

Polly Payne and Ruth Hannant named directors general for Rail Group in move hailed by perm sec as progress in "overwhelmingly male" industry

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

Government claims better use of location data produced by public bodies could grow the economy by £11bn a year

New commitments to move powers out of Westminster were the bright spots in a Budget speech that didn’t address some of the key challenges faced at the frontline of much public service delivery

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

Top government officials detail list of changes to 85 IT systems at the UK border required because of Brexit

Former perm sec argues FCO was disempowered by “unnecessary creation” of Department for International Trade

Rob Neil, chair of Civil Service Race Forum, argues this strategy moves beyond a tick box approach to diversity and calls for a radical culture shift across government

Watchdog’s snapshot shows BEIS has biggest numeric burden, followed by Defra

Labour minister-turned-Greater Manchester mayor berates anachronistic policymaking processes

Home Affairs Committee report slams "completely unconvincing" Home Office plans to appoint just 300 new border staff

After calling time on a long civil-service career earlier this year, the former Directgov and GDS leader discusses how digital government has evolved during the 20 years he spent as one of its leading advocates

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

Post-Brexit Britain “could lose its research edge” unless departments step up, say public spending watchdogs

Senior officials defend rationale for new GPS tags but admit major failings of project now delayed by more than five years 

PAC report says tax agency doesn’t yet have money to upgrade customs service and develop contingency option in case of delays

I believe empathy should be considered a core civil service skill. These three steps will help make that happen

Bureaucrat-turned-academic Gary Sturgess argues Whitehall needs to up its game on public service contracting and commissioning. Jim Dunton reports

Sinn Féin and DUP fail to reach power-sharing deal but Northern Ireland secretary insists new legislation does not amount to direct rule

Civil Service World brought together a panel of digital leaders to assess how government can make better use of the technology at its disposal to drive innovation in public service delivery. Colin Marrs reports

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