‘It’s not the 1970s’: Minister rules out four-day week for civil servants
A minister has dismissed calls from civil servants to move to a four-day week, telling advocates of the reform “we are not living in the 1970”. Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) have said that working a four-day week is “critical to attaining a good quality of life” and could save the government […]
Simon Case to step down as cabinet secretary — his resignation letter in full
The head of the civil service Simon Case has announced he will resign his role at the end of the year on health grounds. The cabinet secretary said in a letter to colleagues that he has been undergoing medical treatment for a neurological condition over the last 18 months. He wrote: “Whilst the spirit remains […]
Eight times the Conservative party battled ‘The Blob’
“The Blob”, that perennial spectre of Conservative party governance, takes its name from a 1950s B-Movie about an unstoppable amoeba-like mass which devours everything in its path. “There is no stopping The Blob as it spreads from town to town”, the trailer for the forgotten flick explains. Leading man Steve McQueen — in his first […]
Week-in-Review: Raab and Sunak’s messy divorce will cast a long shadow
“Professionalism, integrity and accountability”. How quickly a catchphrase becomes a curse. This tyrannical tricolon has hung spectre-like over the first six months of Rishi Sunak’s administration, driving important figures from government on an almost routine basis. The latest to be sacrificed at the altar of accountability is of course Dominic Raab, the PM’s erstwhile loyalist […]
Civil servants ‘bullied’ by Dominic Raab ‘suffered mental health crises’, claims union boss
After days of damaging headlines, Dominic Raab continues to come under pressure over bullying allegations. The deputy prime minister and justice secretary is currently the subject of an official investigation with eight formal complaints having been made against him. At prime ministers questions yesterday, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer questioned whether Mr Sunak had been […]
Civil servants vote for strike action
A ballot for strike action by the Public and Commercial Services Union which represents UK civil servants, has resulted in the union’s members voting to take industrial action. The result of the ballot is now set to impact on the delivery of a range of public services from the workings of driving test centres, job […]
‘This is a painful day’ – Cameron questioned in Greensill inquiry
David Cameron described yesterday’s hearing regarding the Greensill scandal as “a painful day”.
No.10’s arrogance over covid has cost us all dear
A culture of we-know-best is derailing he policy response and increasing the risk to the public.
Darroch stitch-up shows how quickly Brexiters turn against the national interest
Attempt to politicise civil service in a humiliating attack on British diplomatic prestige suggests patriotism of Farage and his allies is overstated.
Cameron’s ‘buggeration factor’: Tory bitterness at the civil service might be an excuse for failure
Today we learn that David Cameron is fed up with what he calls the “buggeration factor” of trying to ram policies past the civil service. The PM’s frustration is understandable, one of his former special advisers says.
