Why is it so hard to sell an idea to government (even one that could make millions for the public purse)?
04 Apr Operational Delivery

Why is it so hard to sell an idea to government (even one that could make millions for the public purse)?

To an outsider, reaching the right civil servants with an idea that could revolutionise services or save money seems impossible
by Jon McKnight
MoJ sets up new probation and reoffending directorate
02 Jun Operational Delivery
MoJ sets up new probation and reoffending directorate
HMRC labelled 'lumbering dinosaur' and urged to modernise systems
30 Apr Operational Delivery
HMRC labelled 'lumbering dinosaur' and urged to modernise systems
DWP’s work-coach shortage hits support for jobseekers
31 Mar Operational Delivery
DWP’s work-coach shortage hits support for jobseekers
Despite ministers' promises to tackle churn, the civil service whirligig keeps on spinning
20 May 2024 Operational Delivery
Despite ministers' promises to tackle churn, the civil service whirligig keeps on spinning
IfG research has found a third of top officials have spent less than a year in their current post
Post-Brexit border plan suffering from resourcing and oversight issues, NAO warns
20 May 2024 Operational Delivery
Post-Brexit border plan suffering from resourcing and oversight issues, NAO warns
Watchdog says government's border plan lacks an integrated cross-government delivery plan, while programmes face resourcing uncertainty
Second union to join G4S security-staff strike at DWP
17 May 2024 Operational Delivery
Second union to join G4S security-staff strike at DWP
PCS members on DWP’s G4S contract vote to walk out after GMB strikes closed 70 jobcentres last week
HMRC gets £51m to improve helplines as NAO finds customers are ‘being let down’
16 May 2024 Operational Delivery
HMRC gets £51m to improve helplines as NAO finds customers are ‘being let down’
Reducing HMRC helpline staff too early in digitalisation drive has left holes in customer service, watchdog says
DWP beats counter-fraud target by £50m
14 May 2024 Operational Delivery
DWP beats counter-fraud target by £50m
Update confirms plan to use temporary staff to fill 2,500 roles reviewing Universal Credit claims
DWP complaints climb
07 May 2024 Operational Delivery
DWP complaints climb
Customer grievances submitted about department's businesses rise for second year in a row, figures show
DWP 'faces disruption' as jobcentre security-staff strikes loom
25 Apr 2024 Operational Delivery
DWP 'faces disruption' as jobcentre security-staff strikes loom
Union says members working on G4S contract need an uplift on National Living Wage
Labour calls in heavy hitters to advise on 'modernising' HMRC
11 Apr 2024 Operational Delivery
Labour calls in heavy hitters to advise on 'modernising' HMRC
Former HMRC perm sec Edward Troup is among expert panel that will also look at how to boost tax compliance
We’re looking at public sector productivity the wrong way
21 Mar 2024 Operational Delivery
We’re looking at public sector productivity the wrong way
The chancellor is hoping that his £3.4bn investment will unlock £35bn in productivity improvements. But will it?
HMRC customer service levels at ‘all-time-low’, MPs warn
28 Feb 2024 Operational Delivery
HMRC customer service levels at ‘all-time-low’, MPs warn
Report blames “conscious choices made by HMRC and HM Treasury” as call wait times jump up
Cabinet Office 'probably tries to do too much', Chisholm tells MPs
27 Feb 2024 Operational Delivery
Cabinet Office 'probably tries to do too much', Chisholm tells MPs
Outgoing perm sec acknowledges department's diverse operations can be a challenge
Departments ‘must act now’ to prevent fraud in future emergencies
08 Feb 2024 Operational Delivery
Departments ‘must act now’ to prevent fraud in future emergencies
“By the time an emergency has started, it is usually too late to take all the steps needed," NAO report warns
‘If you're not a bit anxious at that point, something's wrong’: Perm secs on setting up DSIT, DBT and DESNZ
07 Feb 2024 Operational Delivery
‘If you're not a bit anxious at that point, something's wrong’: Perm secs on setting up DSIT, DBT and DESNZ
A year on from the MOG changes that shocked us all, the three departments' perm secs reflect and share their priorities for the year ahead
PCS calls off planned DVSA strike
07 Feb 2024 Operational Delivery
PCS calls off planned DVSA strike
Union says it has reached an agreement with DVSA management after “intensive talks”
DVSA staff to walk out over 'reckless' plan to clear test backlog
30 Jan 2024 Operational Delivery
DVSA staff to walk out over 'reckless' plan to clear test backlog
Driver services recovery programme to cut down waiting times creates “significant safety risks”, PCS says
Labour MP calls for arm's-length body review to avoid future Post Office scandal
23 Jan 2024 Operational Delivery
Labour MP calls for arm's-length body review to avoid future Post Office scandal
Government should be "able to intervene more directly on occasions" in light of Horizon scandal, Kevan Jones says
DWP's People Survey workload scores 'improving', perm sec says
17 Jan 2024 Operational Delivery
DWP's People Survey workload scores 'improving', perm sec says
Figures follow testimonies describing “unbearable” pressures and “improper” staffing levels
Boosting public sector productivity could save tens of billions – NAO
16 Jan 2024 Operational Delivery
Boosting public sector productivity could save tens of billions – NAO
"It is relatively easy to cut spending" if government takes the right steps, Gareth Davies will tell MPs today
'We're here to make a difference': DWP perm sec Peter Schofield on team working, moments of change and the importance of values
15 Jan 2024 Operational Delivery
'We're here to make a difference': DWP perm sec Peter Schofield on team working, moments of change and the importance of values
The Department for Work and Pensions perm sec tells CSW about his civil service career, his connection to DWP’s mission, and a profound turning point in his personal life
‘We’re a people organisation’: DWP’s Peter Schofield on supporting customers and encouraging his teenagers to revise
20 Dec 2023 Operational Delivery
‘We’re a people organisation’: DWP’s Peter Schofield on supporting customers and encouraging his teenagers to revise
The Department for Work and Pensions perm sec sets out his priorities for 2024
'Being bold and innovative means making brave choices': Angela MacDonald on HMRC's transformation journey
14 Dec 2023 Operational Delivery
'Being bold and innovative means making brave choices': Angela MacDonald on HMRC's transformation journey
HMRC's second perm sec looks back on a year she is proud of, and forward to her first Christmas as a "granny"
‘The Home Office is preparing for whatever the future throws at us’: Matthew Rycroft looks ahead
12 Dec 2023 Operational Delivery
‘The Home Office is preparing for whatever the future throws at us’: Matthew Rycroft looks ahead
The Home Office permanent secretary says 2024 will be a year of "focusing on prevention, not cure"
Why digital deliverability is vital for 2024 election policy pledges
06 Dec 2023 Operational Delivery
Why digital deliverability is vital for 2024 election policy pledges
Former Cabinet Office deputy director for digital delivery Clayton Smith flags five common pitfalls that lead to failure
EXCL: DWP civil servants describe ‘unbearable’ workloads amid ‘all-time low staffing’ levels Exclusive
04 Dec 2023 Operational Delivery
EXCL: DWP civil servants describe ‘unbearable’ workloads amid ‘all-time low staffing’ levels
Pressures causing Department for Work and Pensions officials to skip breaks, work long hours and "leave in droves" or take long-term sick leave