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UK government ‘must reconcile office working policy with plans to reduce office space’
The UK government has been urged to keep its office attendance mandate under review by parliamentarians who said there may be a conflict between the plan and policies to reduce the size of the government estate. A committee of the House of Lords examined the impact of working from home across the economy, which has…
US government’s HR agency publishes ‘workforce of the future’ playbook
The federal government’s Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has published a new ‘playbook’ outlining actions that agencies can take to revamp HR practices and strategically plan their future workforces. Suggestions include greater use of data and artificial intelligence, more proactive recruitment methods, and an increased focus on career development. The practical guide follows a vision…
UK civil servants make bid for four-day working week
Civil servants in the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have launched a campaign to work a four-day week. Staff at the department have called for a pilot scheme involving more than 21,000 employees, and are backed by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) which delivered a petition to Defra bosses…
Australia’s public service commission rejects four-day week bid
The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) has rejected a bid by federal government employees and unions for a four-day work week. The bid entered negotiations between public service unions and the government in June. The idea was that public servants could be allowed to work just under 9.5 hours per day over four days rather…
One third of Canadian public servants consider leaving government over return-to-office rules
More than a third of Canadian public servants are so unhappy with the federal government’s return-to-office approach that they are considering leaving their roles, according to a survey by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC). The union, which represents 72,000 public service professionals in the federal government and some provincial departments…
Australian Public Service to tap talent outside Canberra
The Australian Public Service Commission is developing a strategy that would reduce the need for government employees to work in the capital, as part of its mission to become a model employer. The focus instead would be on having the “right people in the right places”, a spokesperson for the Commission (APSC) said. The APS…
Nearly half of US government workers could quit if telework reduced, survey finds
Nearly half (45%) of US government employees would consider looking for a new job should their agency reduce remote and hybrid working, according to a new survey. The study of more than 500 federal, state and local government workers finds that 59% of those who have remote or hybrid working arrangements say their job satisfaction…
Uncapped remote working on the cards for Australian public servants
Australian public servants would be able to request an unlimited number of remote work days under new concessions by the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) as part of bargaining talks. In an update issued on 1 May, the APSC said the federal government’s chief negotiator Peter Riordan had put forward a proposal that included “extensions…
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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)
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