The civil service landscape could potentially be undergoing a significant shift, with the expected revelation of a government-commissioned review. Lord Maude, a former Cabinet Office minister, was delegated the objective of identifying areas for heightened government productivity last year. The imminent report, developed conjointly with the Cabinet Office, is predicted to be published this fall.
At the center of Lord Maude’s report comes a series of transformative recommendations, which aim to redefine the level of ministers’ influence over civil service appointments. The scheme also underscores the need for comprehensive ‘360 assessments’, requiring an array of colleagues to review the nominee’s performance, thus amplifying the selection process’s rigor.
Possibly the most groundbreaking proposal involves bifurcating the role of the cabinet secretary into two independent positions. The first would act as an advisor to the prime minister, while the second would explicitly lead the civil service. Simon Case, the existing cabinet secretary, assumed the role in 2020 and is currently the premier’s chief policy advisor, accounting for the cabinet’s functioning to all ministers.
Additionally, there’s a possibility of a new ministry being established, tasked with the allocation of government spending, thereby sectioning off some responsibilities from the Treasury. However, the Treasury would still retain its hold over tax policies and macro-economic decisions.
This accelerated march towards reformation was triggered last summer when Lord Maude was entrusted with leading a meticulous review concerning the Civil Service’s governance and accountability. The government communicated the aim of conducting an independent review that could critically analyse and optimize the working and functional efficacy of government operations. The coming weeks promise to unveil the extent of these prospective changes in the civil service structure, thus potentially marking a new era in government operations.
