The first year of the new government department in charge of further education has been rated a success by officials - although they have called for it to show more leadership, writes Joseph Lee.

An Ofsted-style Cabinet Office report on the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills found no serious concerns and said that senior civil servants had done well to establish a new department in challenging circumstances.

The Cabinet Office team said the Permanent Secretary’s “new modern leadership style” had been successful and that both department staff and people in FE and elsewhere had praised his visibility and approachability.

But it identified two “urgent development areas”: taking responsibility for leadership and change and focusing on outcomes.

Report at www.dius.gov.uk.