Europe

Bank of England’s independence under threat in EU referendum row

Senior Conservative politicians have accused the Bank of England and HM Treasury of “startling dishonesty” in their contributions to the EU referendum debate, raising the prospect of a major clear-out […]

Rupert McNeil, chief people officer for the UK Civil Service: exclusive interview

Eager to bring in new skills, the British civil service is recruiting from the world of business. Fresh from the world of banking, its new HR chief explains how he […]

Sir Paul Jenkins, former UK Treasury Solicitor: EU Referendum interview

The EU referendum debate lacks hard facts on how any UK exit would be negotiated, says the British prime minister’s former chief legal adviser. And Sir Paul Jenkins tells Matt […]

John Kay, visiting professor of economics, LSE: Interview

Economist and public policy expert John Kay tells Winnie Agbonlahor how the Thatcher era brought fundamental change to Britain’s civil service, and why he helped set up one of the […]

Robert Barrington, executive director of Transparency International UK: exclusive interview

As the UK prepares to host an anti-corruption summit designed to break the deadlock on global action, Robert Barrington, the UK head of Transparency International tells Matt Ross that Britain […]

Jon Thompson, former permanent secretary of the UK Ministry of Defence, and now chief executive of HM Revenue & Customs: Exclusive Interview

In any ranking of the developed world’s most challenging government jobs, digitising the UK’s tax collection and challenging its civil service’s class system would stand high in the premier league. […]

What’s so great about Estonia’s e-Residency programme?

Estonia’s e-Residency programme has attracted global attention – and other countries may soon follow suit. Winnie Agbonlahor catches a glimpse of a future in which nations compete to offer people […]

A family reunification dilemma for the EU

Many of the asylum seekers heading for Europe hope to bring their families over later – so governments are squeezing refugees’ rights to family reunification. But Yermi Brenner finds that […]

UK government launches new single departmental business plans, but attracts criticism

New departmental business plans introduced by the UK government to strengthen financial management and provide a visions of how ministries will deliver the government’s priorities have been criticised for providing […]

Improving government effectiveness: lessons from Germany

Governments are increasingly recognising that they cannot regulate themselves out of the problems they currently face – and that they must learn to look outwards to improve their effectiveness, writes […]