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John Ashton

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World


From fighting terrorists and tackling the Mafia to playing a pivotal role in the Hong Kong handover, John Ashton has enjoyed an eclectic diplomatic career. Here he tells Matt Mercer about his recent appointment as the FCO’s new ‘climate-change ambassador’ – and why Whitehall is in need of structural reform.
From fighting terrorists and tackling the Mafia to playing a pivotal role in the Hong Kong handover, has enjoyed an eclectic diplomatic career. Here he tells Matt Mercer about his recent appointment as the FCO’s new ‘climate-change ambassador’ – and why Whitehall is in need of structural reform.Margaret Beckett may have endured a somewhat challenging start to her stint as foreign secretary, but her decision to appoint to be her special representative for climate-c...

The heat is on

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World


Alistair Darling and David Miliband say that the recent energy review seriously addressed the twin challenges of climate-change and energy security.
We never doubted the proposals in the government’s energy review would generate protest. But that’s not because we are seeking conflict. We believe the energy review’s proposals are balanced, clearly thought-out and, most importantly, seriously address the challenges of climate-change and energy security  – two of the most important chal...

Burning bright

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World


TUC general secretary Brendan Barber argues that ministers should look to clean-coal power generation as a way of addressing Britain’s energy needs.
Coal-fired power generation will continue to play a major role in the UK’s energy mix for a long time to come. Around one third of the UK’s electricity is generated from coal-burn, and last winter this reached 50 per cent. Coal is a secure and long-term source of energy that is newly affordable. And clean-coal power-generation – with an impor...

The eye of the storm

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

Sir David King explains why the government is backing nuclear power as a component in meeting our energy goals.

The generation game

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

Ernst and Young’s James Close tells Matt Mercer why the City applauded the professionalism of the government’s recent energy review.

Making the leap

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

SPATS, the National School of Government’s senior management-development programme for specialists, gives professionals across government the opportunity to broaden their experience and thinking, and to improve their versatility, writes Christopher Jary

The daily grind

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

DTI minister Jim Fitzpatrick is confident the government’s policies will lead to increased productivity.

The customer first and always

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

In PwC’s monthly column, Michael Kitts says services must be tailored to the customer.

Dame Sue Street

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

After nearly five years heading up DCMS and a 25-year career in the civil service, Dame Sue Street retires from Whitehall this month. Here she tells Matt Mercer why the time is right to move on from her ‘dream job’.

Jitinder Kohli

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

Jitinder Kohli’s route to the Cabinet Office has been a steady but speedy progression through Whitehall, with stints in several departments.

Street closure

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

Sue Street retires from Whitehall after a 25-year career in the civil service at the end of this month.

Viewing Whitehall

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

The results of Whitehall & Westminster World’s ICM survey of 151 parliamentarians are likely to be viewed with some concern by many in the civil service.

Sheinwald tipped for Washington posting

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

Sir Nigel Sheinwald, Tony Blair’s Downing Street foreign policy adviser, is set to take over as Britain’s ambassador to the US next year.

SBS braced for shake-up

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

The Small Business Service will be restructured following complaints it is ineffective.

Macpherson sets out Treasury restructuring

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

Nicholas Macpherson, the Treasury’s permanent secretary, has announced details of a new structure at the department.

Absence levels in Whitehall rise

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

Staff absence in the civil service went up last year, according to new figures.

DCA annnounces new IT contractors

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

Department for Constitutional Affairs permanent secretary Alex Allan has named ATOS Origin and Logica CMG as the successful providers for two new major IT contracts at his department.

Duncan slams cash for ‘quacks’

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

Over £340,000 of public money has been spent on hiring ‘life coaches’ for civil servants, it has emerged.

Reid ponders criminal justice privatisation

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

John Reid is considering sweeping reforms of the criminal justice system, including putting entire local probation services out for competition.

New chief executive for procurement agency

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

Alison Littley has been appointed by the Office of Government Commerce as the new chief executive of its commercial trading arm, OGCbuying.solutions.

Blair broke stats code

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

The top government statistician has said Tony Blair “clearly contravened” rules on the release of official data by talking about unemployment statistics before they were released.

Scottish civil service relocations questioned

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

How the Scottish Executive’s policy of relocating public service jobs creates benefits is “unclear” according to Holyrood’s spending watchdog.

Tories attack civil service expansion

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

The civil Service has expanded by some 60,000 employees under this government “for no good reason,” according a to a new policy document from the Conservatives.

Civil service ‘doesn’t do’ climate change

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

Whitehall is not producing coherent enough policies for tackling the problem of climate change, John Ashton says today.

MPs voice their concerns over Whitehall efficiency

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

Nearly half of all MPs believe that the civil service is less efficient today than it was 10 years ago.

Too few women at the top, says DCMS chief

Last updated 1445 days ago by Civil Service World

Retiring permanent secretary Sue Street admits today that she is disappointed there are not more women permanent secretaries.

Playing up the postcode

Last updated 1452 days ago by Civil Service World

Primary Care Trusts face a very challenging task in trying to eradicate postcode lotteries, declares Gill Morgan

A time for charity

Last updated 1459 days ago by Civil Service World

After three weeks in post as chair of the Charity Commission, Suzi Leather tells Matt Mercer about her first impressions and why she is gearing up for a major push to get the Charities Bill back before Parliament

Giving junk the red light

Last updated 1459 days ago by Civil Service World

The Food Standards Agency’s Gill Fine says that although good progress is being made, encouraging people to improve their diets won’t happen overnight

The bottom line

Last updated 1459 days ago by Civil Service World

The King’s Fund’s Ruth Thorlby warns that NHS deficits could limit the potential of reforms aimed at transforming the system