Get connected... stay informed

Register now for bulletins, personalisation & forums

Comms role filled Comms role filled

The head of NHS Direct is to become the government's new permanent secretary for government communications, it has been announced.

1 Comment Send link

Off the leash Off the leash

After 15 months as a junior trade minister, former ‘goat’ Lord Jones tells Ruth Keeling of his frustrations with risk-averse civil servants, out-of-touch politicians and the weakness of junior ministerial positions

Send link

Strike called off Strike called off

Civil servants will not go on strike on Monday as union officials return to the negotiating table.

Send link

Accounting for all tastes Accounting for all tastes

Public sector procurement is increasingly seen as a way to achieve non-financial aims: first environmental and social improvements, and now equality of opportunity. But can procurers meet these demands while still ensuring value for money? Ruth Keeling reports

Send link

Watchdog to take on diversity Watchdog to take on diversity

Ministers have increased the powers of the public appointments watchdog after diversity figures worsened.

2 Comments Send link

Bishop to leave COI Bishop to leave COI

The head of the government's communications body is to leave at the end of January after six years in the post.

3 Comments Send link

Benefit changes come into force Benefit changes come into force

Incapacity benefit will be replaced with a new employment and support allowance today under the latest phase of the government's programme of benefit reform.

1 Comment Send link

NHS unions want new pay deal NHS unions want new pay deal

Unions have called on the government to re-open pay negotiations as rising inflation causes hardship for NHS workers.

2 Comments Send link

Union announces strike Union announces strike

Civil servants are set to strike next month in protests over a government imposed caps on pay rises.

2 Comments Send link

More women to get full state pension More women to get full state pension

Thousands of women who stayed at home to look after their children will be able to receive a full state pension under a new top-up payment scheme.

Send link

Room at the table for jobs Room at the table for jobs

Worklessness and housing are big, complex, interlinked issues that reach across several departments’ responsibilities. With Reed in Partnership, Whitehall & Westminster World brought together experts from across the civil service to identify the links and discuss the solutions. Ruth Keeling reports

Send link

Unemployment level rises sharply Unemployment level rises sharply

Latest unemployment figures show a sharp increase with the number of jobless people rising by 164,000 in the last quarter to its highest level since 1999.

Send link

Women's awards launched Women's awards launched

Prominent female peers, politicians and businesswomen attended the launch of Dods’ awards for prominent women.

Send link

HMRC leadership overhauled HMRC leadership overhauled

Jobcentre Plus chief executive Lesley Strathie has been appointed to lead HM Revenue & Customs in a major shakeup of the department announced on Monday.

Send link

Energy department head announced Energy department head announced

A former private secretary to John Major is to lead the newly created energy department, it has been announced.

Send link

Safety comms chief appointed Safety comms chief appointed

The communications director of a multinational medical equipment firm is to join the civil service.

1 Comment Send link

Retirement age to be scrapped Retirement age to be scrapped

There will be no mandatory retirement age for junior ranks of the civil service, it has been announced.

Send link

Minimum wage 'shame' Minimum wage 'shame'

Civil servants have been given special pay rises to stop their pay falling below the new national minimum wage, it has been revealed.

Send link

Purnell defends welfare reform plans Purnell defends welfare reform plans

James Purnell has insisted that new plans to incorporate private sector involvement into his welfare reform strategy are not a betrayal of his party’s principles.

1 Comment Send link

Thousands of EDS jobs to go Thousands of EDS jobs to go

Thousands of jobs could be lost and public services adversely affected following the takeover of a major government supplier, a union has warned.

Send link

Office of Disability Issues

Testimonial

"Whitehall and Westminster World sets out the key issues clearly and coherently"

Sir Gus O'Donnell Cabinet Secretary, Head of Home Civil Service

Civil Service Awards

Details of the shortlist are now available

 

 

Subscriptions

Sign up for a trial subscription to Whitehall & Westminster World