Francis Maude

Thatcher: the real deal

26 April 2013 | Peter Riddell

Neither the brickbats nor bouquets being thrown at the memory of Margaret Thatcher accurately reflect her record Read more

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When the feeling’s mutual

8 February 2013 | Francis Maude

Public sector mutuals are on the increase as more employees take control of the services they provide. Staff, taxpayers and service users all benefit Read more

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Whitehall’s permanent revolution

30 January 2013 | Josh Harris

Trust between ministers and mandarins is at a low ebb. But it’s important that progress is made on the way permanent secretaries are appointed  Read more

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West Coast debacle: civil service on the line

3 October 2012 | Peter Riddell

The West Coast franchise withdrawal raises many wider issues about Whitehall accountability, ministerial responsibility and civil service reform 

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Our mutual friend

26 June 2012 | Julian le Grand

In these cash-strapped times, mutuals are an idea whose time has come. They bring benefits to public service employees and service users, as well as providing better value for money Read more

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Civil service blame games

14 May 2012 | Colin Talbot

Who should take responsibility for civil service underperformance? Judging from past experience, ministers will just blame the infantry Read more

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No 10′s woes: who should carry the can?

17 April 2012 | Conor Ryan

Advising the public to panic-buy petrol is just one way that  Francis Maude has contributed to No 10′s recent problems. The other is getting rid of so many special advisers Read more

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Francis Maude and the Fox fiasco

13 October 2011 | Conor Ryan

The Cabinet Office minister’s opposition to political advisers has proved disastrous for the government and has exacerbated the problems faced by both the defence and health secretaries Read more

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‘Staggering’ savings? I don’t think so

2 August 2011 | Colin Talbot

There is nothing ‘staggering’ about Francis Maude’s announcement  of £3.75bn savings other than the audacity of making such inflated  claims Read more

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White Paper wish list, by John Tizard

9 May 2011 | John Tizard

The content of the ‘leaked’  CBI–Francis Maude meeting minutes, which suggested that the government was not intent on the wholesale outsourcing of public services and in particular not to the private sector,  should not have surprised anyone. Read more...

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