Government Tax Profession

The Prime Minister described top official as “somewhere between a brother and a father” to all in the Number 10 team

Comprehensive Spending Review eyes raft of efficiency-focused changes across government, including a review of sickness absence and cuts to the DWP estate. Here are the key details

Topline departmental figures from the chancellor's Comprehensive Spending Review

Ministers reportedly seeking vote on the self-imposed welfare cap after tax credits rethink

CSW rounds up the big Spending Review stories and analysis ahead of the chancellor's statement to the Commons at 12:30pm

Significant victory for NHS chief executive Simon Stevens as chancellor George Osborne brings forward promised NHS investment

The Department for Transport has addressed the causes of the failed West Coast rail franchise, the NAO spending watchdog finds – but risks remain to future competitions as work on HS2 delays the new West Coast franchise by six months

Strategic Defence and Security Review sets out aim of reducing MoD civilian staff numbers to 41,000 – with unions warning that the scale of cuts could have frontline ramifications

Civilian MoD workforce reportedly in line for staffing reductions as David Cameron prepares to unveil Strategic Defence and Security Review

Gardner will be the first woman to take on the role overseeing government legislation

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

David Cameron to outline cross government defence and security review in the Commons later – as George Osborne confirms all departments have settled with the Treasury ahead of Wednesday's Spending Review

Economic Affairs Committee warns that Scotland Bill is progressing with “undue haste''

Political intrigue mixes with personal tragedy in this haunting Edwardian play

Tim Loughton says DfE officials questioned making a “special case” of the Kids Company charity – while Cabinet Office minister Oliver Letwin is quizzed on where the “buck stops” for its final round of public funding

Latest Whitehall Monitor from the Institute for Government says government must not take quality of open data for granted – and says new chief data officer will need "sufficient political and institutional clout" to make the issue a priority

Information Commissioner's Office tells the Burns review of Freedom of Information that charges – backed by officials in a recent CSW survey – would have a "deterrent effect" and could create more work for departments

Healthcare Financial Management Association urges the government to go beyond £8bn pledge – and sounds the alarm on NHS deficits

Exclusive: Business department's top official Martin Donnelly tells CSW he will have "failed" if diversity agenda falls by the wayside – and sheds light on what the BIS 2020 review means for the organisation's regional presence

Civil service People Survey results show engagement steady, but fewer civil servants believe they have the right tools to do their job

DWP, Decc, HMRC and Cabinet Office among those agreeing to George Osborne's cuts call

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

The Official View: Fiona Mactaggart – a Home Office minister in Tony Blair's government – tells us about gossiping perm secs and why she believes politicians should have a greater say in choosing their officials

Additional intelligence officers to be announced in Strategic Defence and Security Review