Boris Johnson Articles
NEED MINI SPONSOR LOGO
Policing politics: how to restore ethical standards in government
A recent Institute for Government event debated how to restore the British public’s faith in politicians – which, long tenuous, was further undermined in Boris Johnson’s chaotic stint as PM. Matt Ross reports “Trust in the system is broken, and our aim will be to rebuild it,” said Nick Thomas-Symonds, a Labour frontbencher covering the…
Lack of ‘female perspective’ in No.10 led to women’s deaths during Covid, says former top UK civil servant
A lack of gender diversity among decisionmakers in the UK prime minister’s office meant that women were not adequately considered in pandemic-related policymaking, likely leading to preventable deaths, a former top official has told the Covid-19 inquiry. Helen MacNamara was deputy cabinet secretary – one of the UK’s most senior officials – between 2020 and…
UK has ‘gone backwards’ on standards in public life, says ethics chief
A year after Lord Evans took on the job of chair of the UK’s Committee on Standards in Public Life, Boris Johnson became prime minister – making the former spy chief’s tenure a challenging one, as Evans made clear last week. Matt Ross reports “Internationally, we are seen as having gone backwards,” said Lord Evans.…
Row as top UK public servant moves to join opposition as political adviser
A top UK civil servant has sent shockwaves through the government after it was revealed that she had left her post ahead of likely joining the opposition Labour party as an adviser. Sue Gray, who was until Thursday the second permanent secretary at the UK Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, left her post…
Details emerge of UK civil service job cuts – but minister backs away from 91,000 target
A senior minister has said that the UK government is to go ahead with plans for job cuts in the civil service due to “budget pressures” – but has indicated that these reductions will be based on “outcomes” rather than on meeting a specific target. Oliver Dowden has told MPs that there will be reduction…
Rishi Sunak halts plan for 91,000 UK civil service job cuts – but staff reductions could still be coming
New UK prime minister Rishi Sunak has scrapped plans initiated by Boris Johnson to reduce civil service headcount by 91,000 posts, but cuts could still happen as departments are tasked with making efficiency savings. Sunak wrote to civil servants yesterday, setting out that he would work to “make sure every taxpayer pound goes as far…
UK PM backpedals on plans to cut 91,000 civil service jobs by 2025
UK prime minister Liz Truss is expected to walk back on plans to cut a fifth of the civil service workforce by 2025 and instead reduce headcount gradually to avoid redundancies. The government’s original plan to shrink its workforce to 2016 levels was announced by former PM Boris Johnson in May. Johnson said the civil…
UK minister hints work-from-home civil servants could face job cuts
The UK government’s minister for efficiency has hinted that civil servants still working at home could be at increased risk of losing their job as departments plan to make cuts to 91,000 posts. Jacob Rees-Mogg told The Sun newspaper late last week that “people will no doubt draw their own conclusions as to whether they…
Boris Johnson Events, Conferences & Summits - In-Person
Boris Johnson Webinars
Boris Johnson Research
Discover independent research reports, surveys and in-depth studies from Global Government Forum and knowledge partners, exploring the most important issues facing governments and the public sector. Our research provides practical insights and evidence-based recommendations for senior civil servants, policymakers and public sector leaders. Our reports combine exclusive survey data, expert analysis and interviews with government leaders from around the world to help public sector organisations improve performance, inform policy and deliver better outcomes for citizens.
Empowering Public Servants to Make Confident, Informed Decisions with Data and AI
Governments around the world are working hard to extract – and act upon – the insights held in their vast data stores, and to embrace AI and the promise it holds for innovation and transformation. At the same time, economic pressures and constrained budgets are compelling public servants to do more with fewer resources, while governments are called to respond quickly and effectively to complex challenges.
Against this backdrop, data and AI can help those working in government both to streamline their workflows and make fast, informed decisions. This in turn drives efficiency and can unlock productivity gains – and ultimately lead to improved performance and better services for citizens.
Global Government Forum surveyed over 600 civil servants worldwide to understand how data and AI are being used in government decision-making and where there are further challenges and opportunities.
Read this report for insight into how governments are using data and AI in decision-making today and the potential for the future; the major challenges to using data and AI in decision-making and how to overcome them; and how AI agents can be used in decision-making.
The report includes examples of data and AI in decision-making from countries including the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, Singapore, the US, and more.
(Published September 2025)
Making Government Work: Five Pillars of a Modern, Effective Civil Service
Around the world, governments are dealing with substantial challenges – from economic stagnation to the transition to net zero, military conflicts and cyber threats. Governments are also grappling with shifting geopolitics and the rise of populism – and all of these factors are set against the emergence of new technologies, including generative AI, which have the potential to fundamentally transform every aspect of society, but which also pose huge ethical, security and regulatory questions for the public sector.
The Making Government Work: Five pillars of a modern, effective civil service report was undertaken to help identify the key characteristics needed in a modern public service, with priorities ranging across leadership, digital service delivery, workforce development, cross-departmental integration, and citizen trust.
This report has been covered by publications around the world including the Financial Times, BBC Radio 4’s PM programme, Ottawa Citizen, Fed Manager, the Mandarin and the i newspaper.
(Published August 2024)
The Future of the Finance Ministry
From setting tax rates and financial regulations that create the ground rules for national economies, to allocating – and tracking – spending for public services, finance ministries occupy an essential role at the centre of government. Geopolitical crises have reinforced the importance of finance ministries, as they tackle both immediate shocks and long-term trends such as ageing populations, the digital transition, and the impact of moves to net zero.
Against this backdrop, this global research explores what the future finance ministry looks like and how to prepare for it.
Based on interviews with 10 senior leaders from finance ministries – led by John McCarthy, chief economist in Ireland’s Department of Finance, working with Ian Hall, editor, Global Government Finance, and Richard Johnstone, executive editor, Global Government Forum – the study identifies four key themes: the evolving role of the finance ministry in response to uncertainty; the shift to more flexible finance systems that support outcomes; digital transformation and the growth of AI; and the battle for talent and trust.
(Published May 2026)
Partnerships
Partner with us to connect with senior government leaders, policymakers, public sector professionals and the organisations shaping the future of AI in public services.
Our partnership opportunities are designed to facilitate meaningful collaboration, knowledge sharing and engagement across the public sector. Whether you are a government department, local authority, public body or industry organisation, we help you share expertise, showcase innovation and contribute to the responsible adoption of AI across public services.
Join the Boris Johnson Community
Be part of the growing community shaping the future of AI across government and the public sector.
Sign up to receive the latest AI news, research, events, webinars and practical insights from GGF and our partners. You'll be the first to hear about new reports, conferences, networking opportunities and thought leadership from government and industry experts.
Latest News
