How the civil service works – and why critics say it needs reform

How the civil service works – and why critics say it needs reform

Keir Starmer has promised "a renewed civil service; more agile, mission-focused and more productive". Like every government in recent history, his is pushing for improved "delivery"; for better technical and digital skills; and for performance-related pay for senior civil servants, with possible dismissal for under-performers.It wants to move more civil servants out of London, relocating 12,000 jobs to, among others, Manchester, Cardiff, Birming…

In the summer, the National Council decides on the new "security duty". More days of service and a weakening of today's civil service provide resistance in parliament.