This is the first of a regular monthly "WHITEHALL WATCHING" sessions.

The team for this episode is Sonia Khan (former civil servant and special adviser); Philip Rycroft (former Permanent Secretary); and Suzannah Brecknell (Editor of Civil Service World).

In this episode we discuss the roles of Ministers, Civil Servants, SPADS and experts. Including reflections from Sonia and Philip on their experiences.

And of course the announcement that the Government intends to cut 91,000 civil service jobs - 1 in 5 and back to 2016 levels.