For AI to serve the public, we need comprehensive reform – Labour's data bill isn't the answer
02 Jun Digital, Data & Technology

For AI to serve the public, we need comprehensive reform – Labour's data bill isn't the answer

The new law will quietly water down the imperfect backstop regulation that has limited the decisions which can be fully automated
by Joseph Summers
If the government is serious about closing the SME gap, it must go beyond ticking boxes and embrace structural change
29 May Commercial
If the government is serious about closing the SME gap, it must go beyond ticking boxes and embrace structural change
The government needs a workforce plan to inform civil service relocation
21 May Civil Service Reform
The government needs a workforce plan to inform civil service relocation
Whitehall needs a better understanding of science. Here's how to make that happen
20 May Science & Engineering
Whitehall needs a better understanding of science. Here's how to make that happen
Trust in politics and government is shot. Meaningful participation could help fix it
03 Oct 2024 Policy
Trust in politics and government is shot. Meaningful participation could help fix it
Civil servants can play a crucial role in turning the tide by using participative approaches like citizen panels – but only if they’re well-designed and meaningful
Breaking down barriers: How civil servants from disadvantaged backgrounds can thrive
02 Oct 2024 HR
Breaking down barriers: How civil servants from disadvantaged backgrounds can thrive
Does my accent mean I'm from Essex? No, I’ve never been skiing. No, I can’t speak a word of Latin. No, I don't have a favourite medieval battle
We need a better discussion about public sector pay
01 Oct 2024 HR
We need a better discussion about public sector pay
The public sector pay debate is often reduced to simplistic arguments of “too much” or “too little”. Transparency and accountability are needed to restore trust
The language of mission-led government is compelling. But the 'how' really matters
23 Sep 2024 Policy
The language of mission-led government is compelling. But the 'how' really matters
Starmer’s government is committed to being “mission-driven”. What are the challenges to delivering on this? And what could make it happen?
Preventing fraud in government: The critical role of AI and analytics Partner Content
18 Sep 2024 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Preventing fraud in government: The critical role of AI and analytics
With the rise of online activities, identity fraud now accounts for 66% of reported cases. Only by leveraging advanced analytics and AI, government agencies can enhance their defences
A civil service duty of candour should signal a shift from defensiveness towards willingness to learn from failure
16 Sep 2024 HR
A civil service duty of candour should signal a shift from defensiveness towards willingness to learn from failure
The case for a duty of candour on the civil service has been growing for years. Now is the time to think about how it will work in practice
Investing £1.8bn in the UK’s clean energy mission Partner Content
16 Sep 2024 Energy & Environment
Investing £1.8bn in the UK’s clean energy mission
Professor Dame Julia King, Baroness Brown of Cambridge and Senior Adviser at Holtec Britain, sets out the US nuclear company’s investment and job creation commitment to the UK
While we debate the future, smokers need help now Partner Content
16 Sep 2024 Health & Social Care
While we debate the future, smokers need help now
Duncan Cunningham, External Affairs Director for the UK & Ireland at Philip Morris International, calls for a shift to a data-driven, scientific approach that prioritises offering a choice of effective, innovative smoke-free solutions to those who need them most, today
From the editor: As the Grenfell Inquiry report shows, lessons are not easy to learn
10 Sep 2024 Leadership
From the editor: As the Grenfell Inquiry report shows, lessons are not easy to learn
Achieving real change takes time and persistence, and a deep consideration of how to turn understanding into action
What to look forward to at Policy Festival 2024
09 Sep 2024 Policy
What to look forward to at Policy Festival 2024
Tamara Finkelstein shares why the profession’s annual festival later this month is a must-attend event for government policymakers
Harnessing innovation for the sustainable delivery of public services Partner Content
09 Sep 2024 Energy & Environment
Harnessing innovation for the sustainable delivery of public services
AtkinsRéalis’ Lawrence Jepp discusses how successful sustainability and innovation go hand in hand.
Labour has been appalling at defending cronyism row appointments
06 Sep 2024 Civil Service Reform
Labour has been appalling at defending cronyism row appointments
The appointments row raises questions over processes and pay levels
Book review: Torsten Bell's well-evidenced argument might appeal to think tank economists, but will it convince ministers?
05 Sep 2024 Economics
Book review: Torsten Bell's well-evidenced argument might appeal to think tank economists, but will it convince ministers?
The policy proposals in Torsten Bell’s clear and well-evidenced book might appeal to think tank economists, says Thomas Pope, but only time will tell if political strategy will convince his new colleagues and bosses in the Labour government
Eyes on the prize: How DWP can better tackle benefits fraud and error
03 Sep 2024 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Eyes on the prize: How DWP can better tackle benefits fraud and error
DWP can do more to understand how fraud and error gets into the benefits system, and what can be done to tackle it
'I rarely took anything at face value': What I learnt about organisation development in the civil service
21 Aug 2024 HR
'I rarely took anything at face value': What I learnt about organisation development in the civil service
Tips on keeping an open mind when seeking to resolve issues from a professional "chameleon"
More transparency is needed to support impartial civil service appointments
20 Aug 2024 HR
More transparency is needed to support impartial civil service appointments
Emily Middleton and Ian Corfield's appointments to the civil service raise questions about impartiality. A simple change to improve transparency would help
Policymakers must listen to the communities their decisions affect – however remote
19 Aug 2024 Policy
Policymakers must listen to the communities their decisions affect – however remote
Nineteen-year-old Innes Morgan makes a plea for government to end Whitehall-centric policymaking
The road to net zero is paved with high-quality data
13 Aug 2024 Digital, Data & Technology
The road to net zero is paved with high-quality data
High-quality datasets and analysis helped the North Sea Transition Authority secure a prestigious award. Its corporate director explains how data and digital tools can help organisations make better decisions
Civil servants don’t need an independent pay review body to tell them what fair pay is
08 Aug 2024 Civil Service Reform
Civil servants don’t need an independent pay review body to tell them what fair pay is
PCS chief outlines why the union backs collective bargaining for civil servants, not a new pay review body
Can Labour’s plans for a ‘mission-driven government’ succeed? A veteran's view
07 Aug 2024 Policy
Can Labour’s plans for a ‘mission-driven government’ succeed? A veteran's view
Labour has promised a mission-based approach to government. Owen Pritchard, a military – and political – veteran, explains why the new administration needs to back up the rhetoric with the right mindset.
All hands on deck: Why government lawyers were as busy as ever during the pre-election period
06 Aug 2024 Legal
All hands on deck: Why government lawyers were as busy as ever during the pre-election period
With the State Opening of Parliament on 17 July, the first session of Parliament is now underway and new legislation is being introduced. However, as Government Legal Department lawyer Sally Harris shares, the work never really stopped for government lawyers
Involving the public in policymaking can help restore trust in our political institutions. Here's how to do it
05 Aug 2024 Policy
Involving the public in policymaking can help restore trust in our political institutions. Here's how to do it
From setting up a central hub of participatory policymaking expertise to introducing a Duty to Consider Participation, here are some of Demos and Involve's recommendations for embedding public participation in national policymaking
'We help keep the skies safe': Looking back on 170 years of the Met Office
01 Aug 2024 Digital, Data & Technology
'We help keep the skies safe': Looking back on 170 years of the Met Office
Today's Met Office has capabilities Admiral Fitzroy could never have imagined when he proposed the concept of a Meteorological Department in 1854
Ministers want HMRC to close the tax gap. Can it?
31 Jul 2024 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Ministers want HMRC to close the tax gap. Can it?
The NAO's Joshua Reddaway sets out three actions which could help HMRC recover more tax