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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.

Our research explains how the civil service works, in what ways it is changing and what this means for its priorities in the future.

The explainers, reports, events, comment pieces and podcasts below analyse the latest data about the civil service when it comes to its: structure and changing size across departments; geographical spread across the UK and efforts to relocate civil servants outside London; skills, professions and functions; diversity of background and experience; and its pay and grade structures.

03 NOV 2022 Report

Cutting the civil service

Six steps to cut the civil service with care

13 FEB 2023 Explainer

Civil service pay

We look at the average salaries across government departments.

15 DEC 2017 Explainer

Civil service staff numbers

Who exactly are civil servants and how many are there?

12 APR 2022 Explainer

Staff turnover in the civil service

How high is staff turnover in the civil service?

09 JUN 2023 Analysis paper

Lessons from the Darlington Economic Campus for civil service relocation

Ministers shouldn’t see civil service relocation as a primary tool for reducing regional economic inequality.

10 NOV 2020 Report

Moving out: making a success of civil service relocation

The government’s plans to relocate 22,000 civil servants out of London will benefit recruitment but do little to “level up” the north-south divide.

13 AUG 2022 Explainer

Relocation of the civil service

Where in the UK do civil servants work?

A crossroads for diversity and inclusion in the civil service: Assessing the 2022 D&I strategy

Government departments need more guidance and targets to improve diversity and inclusion.

Read the report

Cabinet Office

04 NOV 2022 Explainer

Sexual orientation in the civil service

What proportion of civil servants are LGB+ – and how does this vary by seniority and department?

28 MAR 2018 Explainer

Disability in the civil service

Why is it important that the disabled population is represented in the civil service?

09 AUG 2018 Explainer

Age of the civil service

The age of the civil service can have consequences on the skills available to the civil service.

30 JAN 2023 Analysis paper

Whitehall Monitor 2023

How the civil service has changed and performed in 2023, and its priorities for the future.

Future leaders: building a diverse and inclusive public sector

How can current leaders create public sector workforces that reflect wider society?

Watch the event

Speakers on stage at an event at the IfG.