Whitehall

NEDs: choose carefully, listen closely

Ministers have called on business leaders to serve as departmental non-executive directors and help make Whitehall more efficient. But more could be done to ensure that the right people are recruited and departments make the most of the expertise they offer Read more

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Missing the whole picture

The Public Accounts Committee wants the Treasury to increase the use of Whole of Government Accounts in Whitehall. How might this inform June’s Spending Review? Read more

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Whitehall ‘spin-outs’: a nudge too far?

News that the Cabinet Office’s ‘nudge unit’ is being turned into a mutual is likely to herald many more sell-offs of Whitehall services. Ministers need to be aware of the implications Read more

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Finance function: time for a Whitehall shake-up?

Is the idea of creating a more strategic role for senior financial professionals within central government blindingly obvious, or insane? Discuss  Read more

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Thirteen reasons to feel unlucky

News that the Treasury is looking for even bigger cuts from unprotected Whitehall departments is adding to the public sector gloom. So what is to be done? Read more...

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Making a real impact

Public services can be short of funds and fail to produce the desired results. Social impact bonds can resolve both problems Read more

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Civil service: glass half full?

Despite drastic cutbacks and downsizing across Whitehall, civil service staff morale is higher than you might think. So what does it all mean? Read more

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Fit for purpose?

Doubts have been raised in the past about the competence of individual Whitehall departments. Be it the Home Office, Communities & Local Government or Culture, Media & Sport, the question often asked is: are they fit for purpose? Read more

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Conquering complexity

Whitehall departments are 30% more complex than the world’s largest companies. Complexity is not uncontrollable or inevitable, but tackling it requires a strong, top-down approach Read more

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Whitehall: new buzz words, old woes

Will the new civil service regime be any better at ‘implementation’ than its predecessor was at ‘delivery’? It seems highly unlikely Read more...

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