Justice & Home Affairs

Last week's cyber hack exploited weaknesses in widely used computing systems across the public sector, particularly the NHS. Leaders need to get better at evaluating the small risk of very serious harm and getting vulnerabilities onto ministerial agendas

Letter dismisses government's claim that it meets 2% NATO defence spending target as “accounting deception”

Outgoing Food Standards Agency chief executive Catherine Brown believed she had a job with a low media profile until the horse meat scandal raced over the horizon. She tells Mark Smulian about the changes she has made in the department over the last five years and her plans for the future

Justice Select Committee raises spectre of more fragmented services and weakened economies of scale from latest reform drive

Department launches recruitment drive for £110k post to underpin “huge” change programme

Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service replaces National Offenders Management Service as Ministry of Justice takes over the commissioning and monitoring of prison and probation services

The political parties in Northern Ireland have failed to reach an agreement to form a new power-sharing Executive following the elections this month. The consequences could include the re-introduction of direct rule from Westminster

Prime minister leads parliament in paying tribute to those affected

Justice secretary confirms move as planning permission sought for four new jails

Cabinet Office summons Google to answer concerns over video-sharing subsidiary

Home Office perm sec on the move, with DfT chief Philip Rutnam taking the reins at Marsham Street

NOMS chief executive Michael Spurr to lead new HM Prison and Probation Service, which goes live from April 1

But Howard League for Penal Reform says continued administrative delays are “simply unacceptable” for prisoners who remain locked up

With the end of 2016 fast approaching, we asked the UK's top officials to look back at the year, outline their goals for 2017 – and shed some light on their festive favourites. Mark Sedwill, permanent secretary at the Home Office takes part in our annual perm secs round-up...

With the end of 2016 fast approaching, we asked the UK's top officials to look back at the year, outline their goals for 2017 – and shed some light on their festive favourites. Alison Saunders, Director of Public Prosecutions, takes part in our annual perm secs round-up​

Making a success of Brexit does not mean UK should ditch its reputation as a "free, tolerant, outward facing society", says former Foreign Office permanent secretary

As well as leading the Ministry of Justice through a time of immense challenge and change, Richard Heaton is also busy trying to break down the barriers holding back black and minority ethnic civil servants. He tells Suzannah Brecknell why he’s optimistic about the future. Photos: Paul Heartfield

Institute for Government says ruling on Parliamentary approval for Article 50 trigger will “greatly impact” Theresa May’s plans to enact leave mechanism by March 2017

Justice permanent secretary tells MPs that “bearing down on the gap” between spending review targets and actual spending is the largest challenge for his officials, as he stands by the decision to implement spending controls that caused friction between department and prisons inspectorate

Ex-immigration and enforcement chief Amanda Campbell takes up post as troubled watchdog’s chief executive officer 

Susan Acland-Hood on the move as courts service presses ahead with digital shake-up

Public Accounts Committee says department is unable to evidence reforms' success and significant challenges remain