Brilliant thread on the byelection process

Buff-tailed bumblebee resting on yellow Yarrow

Really interesting collection of facts. Worth knowing. Would add inflation since it impacts on costs over time. But doesn’t cover differences such as devolution (eg population of Eng included but not Scotland, Wa or NI and no ref to different legal systems) and gender (eg pay gap / life expectancy)

Good to see action to remove iniquities in #CivilService pay. As IfG say “Current CS pay structures incentivise damaging behaviour.” “You start at the bottom and stay at the bottom.” Hard to see that the small amount involved (1% of the overall senior civil service pay bill) will shift the dial.

PSA: @samcoatessky.bsky.social on the pod this morning said a leadership contest would mean government would be restrained on decision making because gov would be 'effectively in government purdah and that principle that big government decisions go on hold'. That isn't accurate.

Uk supreme Court judgment: Legacy Act concerning conflict in Northern Ireland does not breach Brexit withdrawal agreement supremecourt.uk/cases/uksc-2...

Another contribution to the “Whitehall problem” issue. A right wing perspective I assume. But should still be interesting to see what emerges.

open.substack.com/pub/andrewgr... As someone who wasn’t a perm sec but did plenty of select committee appearances this resonates, especially abut incentives. But the latter part of wider civil service changes is interesting but I’m not sure quite gets a way out of where we are.

Really good piece on consequences for the civil service (and so Ministers and all of us) of the Robbins episode. Especially agree with two points…

This will be a must-read: edconway.substack.com/p/why-ive-be...

An interesting assessment of the ministers and civil servants interplay on the Mandelson affair. The depressing conclusion that it’s “one which strikes yet another blow to an already bruised relationship.” seems right.

Agree with this take. All very curious

Interesting analysis, if a bit generous in my view. But definitely worth a read by anyone interested in Government. But…

Interesting article on UK-EU relations by someone steeped in Brexit. I was struck by “Trade negotiations are generally about testing red lines of each party... After 10 years the UK may finally be understanding the EU position, and now needs the political debate on its own long-term future...”

An interesting piece about secondary legislation from a Peer’s perspective. As a former civil servant I’d add that it’s largely a Cinderella function for civil servants. And understandably gets sidelined by considerations of primary legislation by ministers. Plumbing isn’t sexy (since Asquith).

Good to see Cab Sec’s objectives. But they’re not SMART so hard to measure success. And reference to revising CS code is interesting

Enjoy the blossom at #KewGardens

This is worth a read by civil servants and those interested in government. Having wrestled with ‘limited and specific’ previously this may be less abstract than people might want to think

Fascinating to see numbers still rising given the number of exit schemes in place across the Civil Service

This is an important point about devolution, as well as the potential for‘boundary’ disputes to consume lots of energy without a clear process to manage.

Enjoying the blossom before the wind lays it waste. #blossom

Good list from Alex to which I’d add alignment of incentives. The current system incentivises churn and not following through.

open.substack.com/pub/ukcivils... Another excellent blog on civil service reform. What he calls the “Chapter 10” problem we called “Admiring the problem”. Can’t fix civil service without addressing the Q of what politicians/government wants.

Hyacinths #Spring

Essential advice: “Civil servants who “speak truth to power” by telling ministers that their pet policy ideas are crazy and unworkable don’t get far… Being a good civil servant is about squaring the circle – analysis combined with persuasion, vision combined with realism.” @jdportes.bsky.social

Spring sunshine #Blossom #London

When they kick at your front door / How you gonna come? #Brixton #London #Mural

Hardly @pickardje.bsky.social quality but a lovely dusk in Trafalgar Square

Recommended reading for anyone involved in public sector procurement

A good solid first message. I hope she can deliver on improving the civil service overall and avoid the pitfalls of her two predecessors

While we’re celebrating Larry’s 15 years in Downing Street and mourning the passing of Palmerston aka diplomog, here’s also remembering one of NIOs securocats

Also some of you may not have seen but Palmy aka diplomog has passed away in Bermuda. There's a video on x - screenshot below. Will miss him terribly. so many funny moments - from him being kicked out of no 10 (after sneaking in) and also Treasury as @treasurymog.bsky.social pointed out. RIP Palmy

Nigel and his son Toby are cycling from Exeter to Blackpool to support Exeter City FC and the Adam Stansfield Foundation, honoring a beloved player and helping the community. Every donation, big or small, can make a real difference. Please consider contributing or sharing the link. Thank you

A reasonable assessment of where things are and what’s required. I hope potential candidates think about these questions and have answers. But wider civil service needs to also address the issues and deliver answers.

For civil servants and policy wonks. 40% reduction to be welcomed

open.substack.com/pub/samuelsh... this is a really interesting piece, which anyone working in a regulator ought to think about. I don’t agree with all of it but the basic proposition of how you balance safety and growth and what level of risk you’re prepared to tolerate are important.

A fascinating piece for all civil servants. On regulation for me it’s about risk appetite and whether civil servants can spell out costs and consequences and whether politicians really have an appetite for risk. And ultimately prioritising is key. Focus on fewer things to get done than announcements

Today I’m aiming to do the #Superloop #London 1/n

Recirculating this island of Ireland starter pack. Happy to have additional names suggested

Went for a walk round Paddington. #london #LondonWalk

Really enjoyed the #LeeMiller exhibition at #TateBritain Surprised at the scale - 11 rooms and a reminder of the breadth of her work

An enjoyable post by someone on the right segmenting the right.

open.substack.com/pub/samuelsh... A quirky read. And we all need that these days

Really enjoyed Manchester Art Gallery yesterday

Painful yesterday. But at least we got a goal #ecfc

I haven't the faintest idea why I agreed to this! Babu Frik

Colonnade. #London

While I'm on Do this if you like www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

The challenge of urgent versus important for civil servants is a constant issue. This policy map from the report is an interesting practical offering from #ifg

Misty dawn in the cemetery. #London #PaddingtonOldCemetery