Europe

Guarding the public finances: the power of fiscal rules

When politicians are feeling virtuous, they introduce fiscal rules. When they succumb to temptation, they break them – and the public suffers the consequences. Gavin O’Toole explores their power and […]

Automated for the people: putting robots to work

Robotic Process Automation technologies can take on swathes of routine, repetitive administrative work. But good delivery is key: at Innovation 2019, an expert panel picked out some of the lessons […]

Brexit demands pace and innovation, says John Manzoni

The UK civil service has never previously faced a challenge like Brexit. To meet that challenge, its chief executive John Manzoni argues, officials must take a very different approach to […]

Minor regrets, major changes: the EU’s former UK rep on a tumultuous four years

Until 2017, Jackie Minor was the European Commission’s Head of Representation in the UK. As Brexit negotiations enter a dangerous and painful endgame, she reviews her time at the Commission […]

Albion through the looking glass: Britain’s nervous breakdown

Magical thinking, perverse incentives and growing anger are pushing the UK ever closer to a No Deal exit from the EU, as the country’s political establishment suffers a bout of […]

A word from Eurohumph: former EC chief Robert Madelin on tech, skills & Brexit

Robert Madelin, a former European Commission innovation and technology chief, tells Ian Hall of the digital challenges facing civil services on regulation and deployment. And then there’s Brexit: the UK’s […]

Enabling e-government: Estonia’s National Digital Advisor Marten Kaevats

Widely recognised as one of the world’s digital leaders, Estonia has built a public IT infrastructure offering unparalleled convenience, security and data-exchange. The country’s lead digital adviser Marten Kaevats tells […]

Expanding the comfort zone: GDS chief Kevin Cunnington on promoting innovation

The UK’s Government Digital Service, long a tech pioneer, has turned its attention to promoting innovation. Director general Kevin Cunnington tells Matt Ross how he intends to help civil servants […]

Looking past the politics: Britain’s future under the EU withdrawal deal

UK politicians are hopelessly divided over the Withdrawal Agreement. But their furious debate overlooks the most essential question: if it is approved, what happens next? Matt Ross asks former Cabinet […]

Whither Brexit? Explaining the UK’s political chaos

An attempt to unseat the prime minister. Deadlock between government and Parliament. A hopelessly fragmented House of Commons. What on earth has happened to Britain’s normally-pragmatic politicians – and where […]