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.
Civil service recruitment
Opening up: how to strengthen the civil service through external recruitment
The civil service’s ability to deliver ministers’ priorities is being hurt by its failure to attract and properly use the skills of external recruits.
Appointed on merit: the value of an impartial civil service
Impartiality is of most value to UK government. But there is no legitimacy for an impartial civil service other than its effectiveness.
The Sue Gray ACOBA saga must lead to better rules around government exits
Lessons need to be learned after the saga over Sue Gray's move to become Keir Starmer's chief of staff.
Civil service accountability
A new statutory role for the civil service
The civil service needs a new statutory role to reflect its permanence, purpose, values and how it should be run and held to account.
Strained Whitehall relationships need a long-term fix
Another warning over poor relations between ministers and civil servants highlights the need for a change of approach.
IfG government reform one-day conference
Why government needs to change and what reforms are needed.
Turnover in the civil service
Moving On: The cost of high staff turnover in the civil service
Staff turnover is weakening the civil service
Latest analysis
IfG response to the Maude review on civil service reform
The Maude review will be an important reference document for whoever lives in No.10.
How to appoint a cabinet
This guest paper from Tim Leunig outlines a more cohesive way to approach cabinet formation
Revamping government reform
The Institute for Government's view on the latest plans for the civil service.
Whitehall Monitor 2023
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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