The PCS challenge on arms sales to Israel shows the strengths and limits of civil service unions

Civil service unions have a particular responsibility to show restraint on political activity, say Alex Thomas and Jordan Urban instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/pcs-ch…

Thoughts on civil service unions, Israel/Gaza, Rwanda & international law from Jordan Urban & me

Trade unions are right to demand clarity about civil servants’ legal & professional obligations but should steer clear of wider arguments about govt policy

instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/pcs-ch…

This was a really interesting discussion with Tom Fletcher and my colleagues

Three permanent secretaries? We’re spoiling you…

Join Sarah, Cat, Gareth, Jordan Urban and me to discuss recruitment and retention, top talent and external hiring

7 May at 15:30, sign up in person or online

We are delighted to announce that Jessica de Mounteney has been appointed as the new First Parliamentary Counsel! She will take over from Elizabeth when Elizabeth retires at the end of April.
You can read more about Jessica's appointment here: gov.uk/government/new…

Just seen the left-hand chart doing the rounds on Twitter

Helpful reminder that starting points matter for time series. The chart on the right starts in 2009 and changes the story a bit!

Pretty bad practice from BBC - it was an active (and disingenuous) choice to start in 2013

Flexible working is more than just working from home. It can range from hybrid working to part-time hours.

On 6 April 2024, the law changed for how businesses manage an employee’s flexible working requests. Learn more at gov.uk/flexible-worki…

#FlexibleWorking

Cat Little has taken over as civil service chief operating officer during a time of change for the civil service.

Jack Worlidge looks at the challenges she will face
instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/cat-li…

NEW from Jack Worlidge on Cat Little’s first week as civil service chief operating officer

“She will need to draw on her skills & experience - & build strong ministerial backing - to make this the moment the civil service starts to stabilise and rebuild”

instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/cat-li…

This tweet has got a lot of people talking about why Britain seems so short of electric railways.

15 years ago, it was about to be very different. And then things went very wrong. 🧵

Alex Thomas This is indeed the last thing Jeremy would ever have said. I never heard him say anything but positive things about Sue Gray.

SCOOP Angela Rayner plans to establish a powerful new base at the centre of government if Labour wins

She wants to re-establish the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, like the set-up John Prescott used as a power-broker under Tony Blair
bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

Ben Yong: Making Government Work or ‘how I learned to stop worrying and love the Centre of Government’ ukconstitutionallaw.org/?p=15956

Tomorrow marks 10 years since the first same-sex marriages took place in England and Wales 🎉

The legislation is firmly in the Institute for Government 'hall of fame'. Take a look at our case study to find out what made it such a policymaking success.

instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/sa…