Policy

Former officials have an increasingly public role in national debate – is that always a good thing? Suzannah Brecknell explores how retired mandarins balance their duty to contribute to the public discourse with the self-enforced code of caution

Legislation to deliver Brexit dominated Boris Johnson’s first Queen’s Speech, which also had a strong law and order theme

Campaign factsheet acknowledges, but refutes, questions over politicisation of civil service

Fifty-strong list of individuals and teams reveals those in the running for honours in the 14th annual Civil Service Awards

Michael Gove tells MPs that the government remains prepared to leave EU with no agreement at the end of this month as publishes readiness report

Tax agency issues two contract notices for design and delivery specialists

Think tank concludes that Conservative spending plans are closer to Labour’s 2017 election pledges than their own proposals

Johnson calls for 'compromise' as he sets out proposed Brexit Irish border plan

Prime minster says that UK will exit EU on 31 October so that country can ‘move on’

Corbyn announces policy in constituency of former DWP secretary Iain Duncan Smith

Dowden insists Brexit-preparation improvements ‘not about collecting personal data’

Department says data does not prove Universal Credit is to blame for rise in food bank usage, despite previously acknowledging possible link

Department recruiting for three senior managers in new-look data directorate

IfG highlights outsourcing failures, but concludes blanket reversal would lose benefits of approach

Tracey Crouch also details Whitehall push-back over fixed-odds betting terminals, Brexit's opportunity cost and ‘complete pain in the arse’ Matt Hancock

Prospect chief calls on cabinet secretary to ensure civil servants rights are upheld amid increasing concerns

Ministries prepare for food shortages and months of traffic disruption as Home Office says protests ‘may absorb significant amounts of police resource’

NI secretary says government would likely introduce direct rule “at the earliest opportunity” in no-deal scenario

Bernadette Kelly writes to NAO to provide departmental support for its inquiry into scheme as transport sec sets out cost hikes

Making spending announcements without an updated fiscal forecast from the OBR risks "a return to the bad old days"

New government website includes new Brexit preparedness questionnaire

Johnson insists move would still leave "ample" time for Brexit debate, but decision criticised by Commons speaker as a constitutional outrage.

Chancellor says move to hold review next week would help match spending to new government’s priorities

Department declares former minister’s resignation pledge project a success