Analysis All
The Alternative People Survey: departments lack capability and capacity to deliver on priorities, civil servants warn
09 Jul Analysis
The Alternative People Survey: departments lack capability and capacity to deliver on priorities, civil servants warn
Officials tell CSW-Re:State survey they know what their department's priorities are, but express concern about having the right resources to deliver on them
Scottish Government launches evaluation-and-appraisal centre
27 May Analysis
Scottish Government launches evaluation-and-appraisal centre
Creation of the centre recognises key role the two processes play in effective decision making, minister says
Commercial All
Cat Little: Capita has ‘underestimated’ complexity of MyCSP transition
08 Jul Commercial
Cat Little: Capita has ‘underestimated’ complexity of MyCSP transition
Cabinet Office perm sec says the firm has so far missed seven of eight milestones in its transition to taking over the Civil Service Pension Scheme administration
Industrial strategy: Civil service reforms aim to build 'enduring partnership' with business
23 Jun Civil Service Reform
Industrial strategy: Civil service reforms aim to build 'enduring partnership' with business
Strategy contains a series of changes to improve how government works with business, including building up commercial skills and better coordination between departments
Digital, Data & Technology All
Departments ‘must get better at using data analytics to combat fraud’
10 Jul Digital, Data & Technology
Departments ‘must get better at using data analytics to combat fraud’
NAO says properly harnessing technology and taking a preventative approach could turn “modest” savings into “billions”
First app version of GOV.UK website launches
01 Jul Digital, Data & Technology
First app version of GOV.UK website launches
App aims to take "crucial services a step closer to citizens in a bid to cut life-admin”
Operational Delivery All
NHS 10-year plan sets out blueprint for redesigned centre
03 Jul Civil Service Reform
NHS 10-year plan sets out blueprint for redesigned centre
Centre of the system in Whitehall "will be smaller, more agile, and focused on developing strategic frameworks and building partnerships"
The real test of the industrial strategy? Whole-of-government delivery
02 Jul Economics
The real test of the industrial strategy? Whole-of-government delivery
Delivering the industrial strategy will require not just excellent civil service machinery but deliberate, sustained use of political capital to prioritise and unblock
Fraud, Error Debt & Grants All
DWP reports benefit fraud ‘heading in right direction’
14 Jul Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
DWP reports benefit fraud ‘heading in right direction’
Annual accounts show fraud-and-error rate dipped to 3.3% in 2024-25, down from 3.6% the previous year
SR25: HMRC gets £1.7bn for big increase in compliance and debt management staff
12 Jun Economics
SR25: HMRC gets £1.7bn for big increase in compliance and debt management staff
Department also gets £500m "to make HMRC a truly digital-first organisation"
HR All
Treasury hikes threshold for when new salaries require senior minister's approval
15 Jul Civil Service Reform
Treasury hikes threshold for when new salaries require senior minister's approval
Top-level pay controls guidance update also includes new exceptions
Former top civil servants sign letter urging ministers to withdraw guidance on public speaking
14 Jul Communications
Former top civil servants sign letter urging ministers to withdraw guidance on public speaking
Guidance is "causing confusion and a chilling effect on public discussion" and should be withdrawn, experts say
Legal All
MP tables ‘real’ Hillsborough Law with duty of candour for civil servants
03 Jul HR
MP tables ‘real’ Hillsborough Law with duty of candour for civil servants
Move follows fears ministers are poised to push for a “watered down” version of pledged legislation
Ex-No.10 Policy Unit head Munira Mirza to play key role in think tank targeting 'Whitehall bureaucracy'
26 Jun Civil Service Reform
Ex-No.10 Policy Unit head Munira Mirza to play key role in think tank targeting 'Whitehall bureaucracy'
Fix Britain says "HR culture and bureaucracy of Whitehall" and rise in judicial reviews are among "factors that prevent functionality" in government
Project Delivery All
New business-case rules for major projects come into force
14 Jul Finance
New business-case rules for major projects come into force
Treasury issues guidance for departments on new requirements for projects and programmes in the GMPP
Mega projects: Delivery bodies given freedom to set pay for specialist roles
20 Jun Civil Service Reform
Mega projects: Delivery bodies given freedom to set pay for specialist roles
Government to implement "bespoke" approach to governance and funding for current and future schemes
Property & Estates All
FCDO perm sec: latest aid cuts ‘easier to handle’ than 2021 reductions
11 Jul Foreign Affairs
FCDO perm sec: latest aid cuts ‘easier to handle’ than 2021 reductions
Olly Robbins says less than £500k was spent on department’s aborted Glasgow move
MoD and NHS to open joint medical centre at Catterick Garrison
25 Jun Security & Defence
MoD and NHS to open joint medical centre at Catterick Garrison
Catterick Integrated Care Centre will treat military personnel and their families as well as members of the public
Communications All
Civil Service World announces partnership with the Charity for Civil Servants
09 Jul Communications
Civil Service World announces partnership with the Charity for Civil Servants
Collaboration aims to strengthen support for UK civil servants as charity approaches 140th anniversary
‘Unworkable’: Former senior civil servants question new public speaking rules
27 Jun Civil Service Reform
‘Unworkable’: Former senior civil servants question new public speaking rules
Former Ofsted chief and outgoing IFS director raise concerns about the new guidance
Finance All
UK’s capacity to absorb economic shocks is shrinking, OBR chair warns
15 Jul Finance
UK’s capacity to absorb economic shocks is shrinking, OBR chair warns
Richard Hughes says there has been “a de facto willingness” on the part of successive governments to allow debt to continue growing
Treasury working with departments to build integrated finance system
24 Jun Civil Service Reform
Treasury working with departments to build integrated finance system
Tech will give HMT and departments real-time shared understanding of their performance against budgets and objectives
Science & Engineering All
Emran Mian named as new DSIT perm sec
01 Jul HR
Emran Mian named as new DSIT perm sec
Digital technologies and telecoms DG will replace outgoing boss Sarah Munby
DESNZ seeks 'exemplary science communicator' to become chief scientist
21 May Energy & Environment
DESNZ seeks 'exemplary science communicator' to become chief scientist
Successful candidate will succeed Paul Monks, who is leaving for the British Geological Survey
Policy All
Love Island star: why I didn’t return to the civil service
11 Jul HR
Love Island star: why I didn’t return to the civil service
Former civil servant and Love Island star Sharon Gaffka says she "always intended to go back"
Susan Acland-Hood and Gareth Davies named joint heads of policy profession
02 Jul HR
Susan Acland-Hood and Gareth Davies named joint heads of policy profession
New co-heads say their priorities include investing in first-rate learning and development, and reforming what it means to become qualified as a policy professional
Energy & Environment All
DESNZ appoints Nesta chief Ravi Gurumurthy as lead NED
10 Jul Energy & Environment
DESNZ appoints Nesta chief Ravi Gurumurthy as lead NED
Department also appoints Prospect's Sue Ferns as non-exec
Ex-civil servant Peter Unwin returns as Natural England deputy chair
02 Jun Energy & Environment
Ex-civil servant Peter Unwin returns as Natural England deputy chair
Peter Unwin's four-decade civil service career includes a stint as acting perm sec at Defra