Leadership

Special report: In just two years, the Surge and Rapid Response Team has gone from an idea for coping with Whitehall’s spending squeeze to a workforce of more than 300 apprentices ready to be deployed across departments – and cut the civil service's reliance on agency staff. Matt Foster meets the team behind it

 As Whitehall comes under attack, Downing Street needs to lead from the front, argues Sue Cameron

UK's current consul general in New York heading back to Whitehall as perm sec, as DIT makes plans to bolster top team with "expert" second-in-command

Exactly why the UK's EU ambassador resigned will remain a mystery for some time. But, says former special adviser Dan Corry, top officials usually quit when subject to constant criticising, whispering and gossip from politicians

UK's current consul general in New York set for Whitehall return, according to reports

New appointments in the civil service, UK politics, and public affairs, via our colleagues on Dods People

The recent attacks on the civil service paint it as being incapable of making Brexit work. But senior officials are increasingly alarmed that the government is forcing them into positions that make them look stupid and out of control

Civil service’s biggest union says pressures flagged by FDA and Prospect in support of new pay deal also affect less senior workers

Exclusive: Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee chairman says Brexiteers' calls for a clear-out of the civil service are "complete rubbish" — but attacks interventions of former permanent secretaries in wake of EU ambassador's resignation

Brexiteers react with fury to Senior Salaries Review Body submission that suggests implementing EU referendum result is pushing Whitehall to its limits

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee chairman also warns former top officials against playing into the "stereotype" of a Europhile civil service

Many talented civil servants have stepped forward to work on Brexit, says Dave Penman of the FDA union. So why aren't ministers doing more to defend them?

Former chairman of the Migration Advisory Committee appointed in multi-agency role aiming to tackle workplace exploitation

First Civil Service Commissioner Ian Watmore seeks team "to help get the best people into the top civil service jobs"

Outgoing permanent representative to the European Union uses resignation letter to tell officials not to shy away from delivering "uncomfortable" truths in the months ahead

Government confirms resignation of UK's top EU diplomat, as former Treasury perm sec Sir Nick Macpherson hits out at sidelining of experts

New appointments in the civil service, UK politics, and public affairs, via our colleagues on Dods People

Senior officials outline significant boost for team of apprentices set up to help departments manage crises and surges in demand

Guidance refresh deletes entire section on creation of “Extended Ministerial Offices”

Neither civil service chief exec nor cabinet secretary saw hikes this year, while outgoing HS2 chief Simon Kirby tops earnings list

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. Sir Jeremy Heywood, cabinet secretary and head of the civil service, takes part in our annual perm secs round-up...

Former chancellor says British system is weakened by hierarchical divide between politician and officials 

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. John Manzoni, chief executive of the civil service and permanent secretary of the Cabinet 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. Oliver Robbins, permanent secretary of the Department for Exiting the European Union, takes part in our annual perm secs round-up...