Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Civil Service: Broadening and Diversifying Expertise

Thursday 9 June 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government will provide a range of entry routes and focus on driving skills, experience, and knowledge within the civil service through loans, secondments, and fellowships.
  • Fast stream places for autumn 2022 will be honoured, but the fast stream for the 19 intake is paused for reform to drive up specialist skills.
  • Jobs are being moved out of London to reflect the public in regional areas and provide value for money to taxpayers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Damien Moore Con
Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP is concerned about the lack of diverse expertise at senior levels in the civil service and asks what steps are being taken to address this.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to broaden and diversify expertise in senior posts within the civil service?

Answer from Heather Wheeler

The Government will provide a range of entry routes and a renewed focus on driving skills, experience and knowledge within the civil service through loans, secondments and intergovernmental placements and fellowships. The external by default recruitment requirement for all senior civil servant roles has been strengthened.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific commitments or timelines regarding broadening and diversifying expertise in senior posts within the civil service.

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Q2 Damien Moore Con
Context

The MP references the importance of the civil service fast stream in ensuring that the best and brightest individuals, regardless of their background, are able to rise to top positions within the organisation.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that restoring the fast stream would ensure that the top ranks of the civil service continue to be world leading in their breadth and depth of knowledge?

Answer from Heather Wheeler

Fast stream places for autumn 2022 will be honoured, direct entry apprenticeship and internship schemes continue, and while we pause the fast stream for the 19 intake, reform is being undertaken to drive up specialist skills in the civil service.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer avoids addressing whether restoring the fast stream would ensure world leading standards of leadership and expertise.

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Q3 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Taxation Employment
Context

The MP criticises the decision to freeze the fast stream programme, arguing that it is a reckless ideological move which undermines efforts to increase diversity in senior civil service roles.

Question

Given that the fast stream is a proven route to senior roles, it should be used as a tool to boost diversity. Can the Minister explain how cutting 91,000 jobs and freezing the fast stream will help to increase diversity in the senior civil service?

Answer from Heather Wheeler

Taxpayers should have value for money; a civil service that has grown by 24% in only a few years is outrageous. Jobs are being moved out of London, reflecting the public in regional jobs.

Not addressed: The answer does not address how cutting jobs and freezing the fast stream aligns with diversity goals.

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