Minister to outline value of Civil Service, with new measures to
strengthen public sector delivery
Reform will focus on investing in technology, reducing
unnecessary process and supporting talent attraction, retention
and reducing staff churn
New line management standards across the Civil Service,
underpinned by reviewing staff performance management
approach, to support career development and help tackle rare
instances of unchecked poor performance or serious issues with
agreed office attendance
New guidance on staff networks will safeguard civil service
impartiality, alongside review of network spending
In his keynote address at the Institute for Government’s annual
conference this morning (Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024), the
Minister for the Cabinet Office, , will outline his long-term
priorities to modernise the Civil Service into a more productive
institution so it can deliver stronger public services through
three key priorities:
First, unlocking the transformative potential of new technologies
such as A.I. by increasing our ambition on the pace and scale of
digital transformation in government. Second, unlocking new ways
of working by streamlining and simplifying how government
operates. Third, leveraging workforce potential by addressing
problems of talent attraction, retention and churn through a
smaller, skilled workforce that is better rewarded, with stronger
performance management.
The Minister will highlight new line management standards,
underpinned by reviewing staff performance management across
Government, building on the good practice in place across most of
the Civil Service. Line managers will be supported to work with
their teams to develop civil servants’ expertise and skills with
a more consistent approach across departments, while also
addressing rare instances of unchecked poor performance.
He will also make clear that he believes face-to-face working and
making full use of Government offices are the right way to
deliver for the taxpayer and develop new talent. Data from
surveying 30,700 civil servants shows that 'learning from others'
and staff interaction has consistently been found to be better
supported in the office compared to at home.
Ministers will look at performance management guidance for senior
civil servants to ensure that making full use of offices is
factored into their yearly reviews.
Setting out the vital role the Civil Service plays up and down
the country and emphasising the importance of ensuring it works
as effectively and efficiently as possible, he will tell the
audience that the Civil Service has to learn to do more with
less.
He will also welcome recent successes like the £7.8bn in
efficiencies secured between 2020 and 2022 through central
functional teams, like commercial, finance and project delivery -
focusing on how to replicate these across the civil service.
Minister for the Cabinet Office, the Rt Hon MP said:
“The Civil Service and the work it does impacts all of our lives
in so many ways, we must therefore ensure it is fit for purpose
for the long term, and delivers efficiently and
effectively.
“It is clear we have to do more with less. To do this, we must
embrace new technology, empower those around us by working
collaboratively in offices, and ensure performance management
standards enable line managers to provide the best possible
feedback and tackle consistent poor performance.
“The Civil Service must adapt today to prepare for the urgent
challenges of tomorrow. Our citizens deserve nothing less, and I
know our committed civil servants are up for the challenge.”
The Minister will also reaffirm the government’s long-term
commitment to implementing cutting-edge new AI technologies
across the organisation. He will endorse the development of
bespoke AI products designed to eliminate unnecessary
bureaucracy, improve the speed of public service delivery, and
enhance how the government communicates with the public.
New guidance on civil service staff networks will also be issued
shortly as part of wider plans to improve productivity and
provide clearer advice on acting with impartiality in relation to
diversity and inclusion.
The guidance will ensure civil servants have a better
understanding of how best to balance staff network activity with
their primary responsibilities and impartiality commitments under
the civil service code.
