“It’s not as easy to get policy through if it has to involve No 10 at the moment. I’m aware the civil servants feel it – feel the slowdown,” said one frustrated aide in a Whitehall department. “You just need to have things to carry on doing.”
Michael Gove’s levelling-up white paper was expected before Christmas but has been repeatedly delayed – though sources in his department insist that is as much to do with the Omicron Covid surge as “partygate”.
One MP who has been given a preview of the policy paper said they were underwhelmed and expressed concern that the government’s internal turmoil meant strategic direction had been lacking.
This story is from the January 27, 2022 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the January 27, 2022 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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