Civil service
We look at how the civil service works and ways to make it more effective.
Our latest analysis
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Policy making in the era of artificial intelligence
Technology is changing and so should the civil service.

How the government can design better asylum policy
The government must exert its authority over the whole asylum system and avoid short-sighted measures aimed at conjuring an illusion of control.
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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
How to legislate for the duty of candour?
With the Hillsborough law soon to be introduced, this event will explore what a legal duty of candour means for public authorities.
The future of the Civil Service Policy Profession: The end of the generalist?
Tamara Finkelstein and Lord Vallance joined us to discuss the Civil Service Policy Profession.
Government 2025: IfG's annual conference
The IfG brought together influential speakers and experts to explore the key questions for government in 2025.
The new cabinet secretary: Can Sir Chris Wormald rewire the British state?
Sir David Lidington joined IfG experts to explore the priorities, challenges and risks that await Simon Case's successor.
Whitehall Monitor 2025
Our annual, data-driven assessment of the UK civil service – how it has changed and performed, and its priorities for the future.
Read the report
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.

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.

Diversity in the civil service
The civil service is more diverse today than it has ever been. But there is still more work to be done.
Our civil service team

Alex Thomas
Programme Director
Donald Trump and Elon Musk are showing how not to go about government reform

Jack Worlidge
Senior Researcher
Five things we learned from the IfG conference’s exclusive polling

Teodor Grama
Research Assistant