Governance & Government Intervention

Talk of Scottish independence sparks memories of Canada’s fight for national unity

Letter from Ottawa: In 1995, a referendum saw Quebec come close to seceding from Canada. Michael Wernick, former clerk of the Privy Council, reflects on what it was like to […]

Five interesting insights from the OECD’s governance report

The recent publication includes some surprising lessons for civil service leaders – arguing, for example, that some anti-corruption practices can be counterproductive Last month, the OECD published a report promoting […]
HM Treasury, the UK's finance ministry

UK financial regulatory forum unveils new initiatives

The UK’s Financial Services Regulatory Initiatives Forum has unveiled the first update of a ‘grid’ mapping out significant forthcoming regulatory initiatives. The forum was launched six months ago and aims […]

UK’s FCA: customers must be told about ‘access to cash’ changes

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has told banks considering closing either a branch or ATM that they will need to provide an analysis of the likely impact on customers’ […]

COVID shines spotlight on how UK civil service must change, says Cabinet Office non-exec

The response to the COVID-19 crisis has shown some of the very best of the UK civil service but has also “highlighted some serious shortcomings and some real problems,” according […]

Australian environment department failed in planning oversight role, says auditors

Campaigners have called for the creation of an independent environmental protection agency in Australia, after the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) released a report condemning the government’s implementation of the […]

Chinese ambassador’s threats a “wake up” call, says former APS chief

Australia’s former Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Martin Parkinson has backed calls for an international inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus. The retired civil service leader was […]

Justice governance culture ‘stifling innovation’, finds report

Governments should open up the design and administration of their justice systems to people outside the legal professions in order to foster innovation, according to a report by a United […]

Standard-setters: today’s approach to standards and accreditation

In an era of self-regulation and earned recognition, public servants must adapt their approach to setting standards and using accreditation. A new Standards and Accreditation Handbook is now available for […]

Court ruling: key Northern Ireland decisions must await new power-sharing executive

Civil servants in Northern Ireland did not have the power to grant planning permission for the construction of an incinerator by council waste management coalition arc21, the Court of Appeal […]