We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. You can find out more about which cookies we use in our Privacy Policy. Accept and Close

UK & Republic of Ireland News

Former UK government cabinet secretary Lord Gus O'Donnell

New salvos fired in the wars of Whitehall

British ministers have been clashing with civil servants over Brexit and bullying – with some pushing for greater powers to appoint officials. At an Institute for Government debate, however, panellists […]

UK chancellor Jeremy Hunt in the Treasury

UK government bids to halt financial turmoil after botched tax cuts

The UK government has abandoned a host of tax cuts that were announced less than a month ago after replacing the country’s finance minister due to a negative response from […]
Picture of Edinburgh

‘Once in a generation opportunity’ to reset public sector, says UK local authority chief

The recovery from the coronavirus pandemic provides the UK public sector with an opportunity to rethink how services are delivered and provide greater joining up of provision, a local authority […]
A portrait of UK government minister Jacob Rees-Mogg

UK minister hints work-from-home civil servants could face job cuts

The UK government’s minister for efficiency has hinted that civil servants still working at home could be at increased risk of losing their job as departments plan to make cuts […]
A picture of the winning team in the 2020 Civil Service Data Challenge

Civil Service Data Challenge 2022 launched to unlock government innovation

The Civil Service Data Challenge is to return for a second year to help officials from across the UK government realise their ideas on how to improve the use of […]
A picture of Francis Maude, who drove the UK civil service reform agenda during his time as Cabinet Office minister between 2010 and 2015

Minister who oversaw UK civil service job cuts ‘set to lead governance review’

A former UK Cabinet Office minister who oversaw the development of a plan that led to 90,000 civil service job cuts is being lined up to lead a review into […]
A picture of the Cabinet Office building at 70 Whitehall in London

Exclusive: experts on the impact of 91,000 job cuts in the UK civil service

Former top officials in the UK civil service and experts on Whitehall have discussed how the government might achieve its aim to cut 91,000 jobs, with warnings that the “arbitrary” […]
A tablet computer displaying a digital identify screen

Digital identity: what the UK government needs to get right in One Login programme

The UK government is developing a new digital ID system for access to public services. What can the government learn from international best practice as it builds the system? The […]
Stormont, the base of the Northern Ireland Executive Photo: Pixabay

Civil service launches menopause policy in drive to support staff

The Northern Ireland Civil Service is to step up its support for women going through the menopause with a new policy and programme to raise awareness and understanding, and outline […]
A street sign displaying the word Whitehall, the name for the centre of the UK government.

The senior civil service in Britain: what it is, who is in it, and how it has changed

The UK’s senior civil service is the top group of officials responsible for top policy advice to ministers and running departments and agencies. Colin Talbot explains how it was formed, […]