Civil service
We look at how the civil service works and ways to make it more effective.
Our latest analysis
See allFive 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.
Find out more
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
The future of the Civil Service Policy Profession: The end of the generalist?
Tamara Finkelstein and Lord Vallance join us to discuss the Civil Service Policy Profession.
Government 2025: IfG's annual conference
The IfG will bring 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.
In conversation with Cat Little, Civil Service Chief Operating Officer
We were delighted to host Cat Little to discuss how the civil service can support the government's agenda.
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.
DownloadOur 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
Promoting diversity and inclusion has been a priority for the civil service leadership.
Our civil service team
Alex Thomas
Programme Director
Keir Starmer’s Plan for Change puts pressure on Whitehall to deliver
Jordan Urban
Senior Researcher
Donald Trump’s America will be a different type of partner for the UK
Jack Worlidge
Senior Researcher
Five things we learned from the Conservative Party Conference 2024
Teodor Grama
Research Assistant