Features

Vote of confidence: how climate-conscious electorates are forcing governments to get serious about going green

World leaders announced target after target at COP26 but there has been little clarity on the delivery mechanisms behind them. Yet there is evidence that citizens increasingly want action on […]

‘No analogue jobs’: building cross-government digital capability

The COVID-19 pandemic created huge demand for digital skills within governments, accelerating an existing global trend. But building a government-wide digital profession is no simple matter. At a recent GGF […]

Brexit battle scars: in conversation with Theresa May’s chief of staff

As senior aide to Theresa May, Gavin Barwell was in a unique position to guide the prime minister as she tried to navigate the UK’s turbulent split from the EU. […]

Friends in NED: why the UK government needs independent non-executive directors

Growing allegations of cronyism have raised questions about non-executive directors’ influence and put pressure on the UK government to be more transparent about their appointment. Jack Aldane hears from current […]

Easy money: transforming tax collection

By digitally transforming the collection of financial data, governments can streamline and automate the process of assessing and collecting business taxes. But to successfully deliver reforms, the panellists warned at […]

Dawn of a new energy infrastructure

To reach net zero, countries will have to radically reshape their energy production and distribution infrastructures – reforming policies and regulations in every field from transport to housing. Catherine Early […]

Necessity is the mother of innovation: turning burning platforms into launchpads for reform

In the face of the pandemic, civil servants have taken big risks to protect their populations – short-circuiting established processes to launch innovative services and transform working practices. At a […]

Will the pandemic pave the way for welfare reform? The UK’s former homelessness tsar sets out her vision

It was the devastation of the Second World War that gave birth to the UK’s welfare state, and now, argues Louise Casey, the covid-19 pandemic provides the government with a […]

We’re all teleworkers now: flexible working policies in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia

As social distancing rules are relaxed, will civil servants be drawn back into the office? Pablo Jimenez Arandia examines the emerging policies on flexible working in four big countries and […]

Aye of the needle: overcoming vaccine hesitancy

To end the pandemic, governments must persuade the vast majority of adults to get vaccinated – but apathy, health fears and conspiracy theories are holding down vaccination rates. Liz Heron […]