Civil service
We look at how the civil service works and ways to make it more effective.
Our latest analysis
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Five steps the government must take to deliver its five missions
Labour says it will operate as a ‘mission-driven government’
20 ways to improve the civil service
Radical improvements to Whitehall are needed if Keir Starmer’s government is to deliver its priorities.
Enabling Integrated Care Systems to work better
Most of the money that flows to the NHS now goes through ICSs.
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Size, structure and location of the civil service
Find the latest information about the size, structure, location and make-up of the civil service.
Civil service reform and accountability
Our recommendations for how the civil service can be improved, including on the accountability between the civil service, ministers and parliament.
Commission on the Centre of Government
How to radically improve the centre of government.
Our recent events
Lessons from the rise and fall of the Department for International Development
What can the Labour government learn from DfID's record of delivery?
Outside influence: How to build external voices into the centre of government
An expert panel discussed how to improve the influence of external voices, especially from charities and businesses, at the heart of government.
General election 2024: What happens on day one for a new government?
What will day one in government mean for ministers, civil servants and advisers?
What should civil servants do during the general election campaign?
How should civil servants navigate the uncertainty of a general election campaign and prepare for a potential change of government?
Whitehall Monitor 2024
Our annual, data-driven assessment of the UK civil service – how it has changed and performed, and its priorities for the future.
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Our explainers
Civil Service People Survey
What does the Civil Service People Survey tell us about civil servants' experience of working in government departments?
Civil Service Code
The Civil Service Code outlines the values and standards of behaviour that civil servants are expected to follow.
Cabinet Office
The Cabinet Office forms part of the centre of government, alongside 10 Downing Street and the Treasury. But what does it do?
Permanent secretaries
This explainer looks at the role of permanent secretaries, the most senior rank of civil servant.
Grade structures of the civil service
Broadly, there are five civil service job grades. We explain what they are and how civil service grade composition varies by department.
Sexual orientation in the civil service
What proportion of civil servants are LGB+ – and how does this vary by seniority and department?
Access talks with the civil service
Access talks are meetings between the civil service and opposition parties, held in the run-up to a general election.
Faith in the civil service
The diversity of faith in the civil service, and the steps being taken to support different faiths.
Age of the civil service
The age of the civil service can have consequences on the skills available to the civil service.
Our civil service team
Alex Thomas
Programme Director
How Angela Rayner operates as deputy prime minister is a core question for Labour
Rhys Clyne
Associate Director
Power with purpose: Final report of the Commission on the Centre of Government
Jordan Urban
Senior Researcher
Who runs Whitehall?
Jack Worlidge
Senior Researcher
Cat Little starts her new job at a testing time for the civil service
Sameer Aiyar-Majeed
Research Assistant