Analysis

Former officials have an increasingly public role in national debate – is that always a good thing? Suzannah Brecknell explores how retired mandarins balance their duty to contribute to the public discourse with the self-enforced code of caution

John Manzoni highlights the progress being made on the use of data as an asset to counter fraud, and invites civil servants and all interested sectors to share and contribute to a government thought paper on how to do more

Nicky Morgan asks Treasury perm sec Sir Tom Scholar if officials have updated economic analysis to include additional Brexit scenarios.

Analysis of improvement pledges under new public value framework also reveals concerns over participation of users in services and workforce capacity

As Theresa May’s time as prime minister comes to an end, Richard Johnstone asks Whitehall watchers to reflect on a tumultuous three years for officials

Critiques by politicians of minute-taking by civil servants are nothing new

The publication of the first first-hand research report from the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse has found violence, fear and vulnerability are widespread in young offender institutions and other government secure facilities. Principal researcher Rachel George says more work is needed to ensure safeguarding is everyone’s concern

As the deadline for ditching the 22-year-old platform draws near, some major government departments are still using GSi email addresses – but all contend that they are on track for the March cut-off

Twelve months on from the collapse of one of the government’s biggest contractors, Richard Johnstone looks at how the Cabinet Office has responded and reformed its approach to outsourcing

Each year the Civil Service Awards celebrates a team or individual who has made excellent use of evidence to support policy or decision making - but what is the government doing to improve the way government as a whole uses different forms of evidence? Mark Smulian finds out more about the newly-formed analysis function 

A range of organisations from across the public sector share their thoughts and experiences on commuters, creativity, and the pros and cons of ‘Manc humour’

CIPFA's policy manager Alan Bermingham takes a look at what the OBR's report on fiscal sustainability tell us about long term government spending – and the picture isn't pretty

Director general Kevin Cunnington gives speech detailing how the organisation has ‘changed the way we work with departments’

Strategy launched to link up government actuaries, economists, engineers, operational researchers, scientists, social researchers, statisticians and data scientists

Government's national technology adviser discusses why getting digital reforms through the machinery of government may require some help from Jason Bourne

A project aimed at measuring the legitimacy of government revealed some lessons for politicians and civil servants alike. Suzannah Brecknell considers how to improve the connection between the governing and governed

ONS reveals new profession for analysts and data scientists after being challenged by Sir Jeremy Heywood to become more visible

Baroness Stowell, Lord Heseltine, Baroness Warsi and Harriet Harman are the latest former minsters to look back on their time in Whitehall as part of the Institute for Government’s Ministers Reflect series. They reveal the good and the bad of the civil service

 IfG calls for expanded role for Major Project Leadership Academy, including “regular engagement” with ministers

All sides in the Brexit talks want an early agreement on the status of Northern Ireland. At a time when the Northern Ireland Civil Service gets new interim head, what will that mean in practice? CIPFA's Alan Bermingham explores one possible solution to the unique challenges in this region

New minister responsible for civil service has praise for officials but also complains about 'ropey' delivery 

Ken Mulkearn says that 1% limit on increases under pressure due to service pressures

PACAC chair tells CSW it is a promising moment for civil service reform, but ministers must play their part too

With a snap election looming after the Northern Ireland executive was brought down by a scandal over renewable heat incentives,  Alan Bermingham explores the governance and public finance implications of the Stormont crisis