McFadden communicated that if the government prioritised frontline jobs, such as prison officers and border guards, the governmental institution "would and can" be more streamlined. He has stated that plans are in place to reallocate resources from internal support positions to frontline roles, in an effort to make the Civil Service more effective and efficient.
Performance-related pay is one significant amendment that has been announced for introduction. If weaker performing employees do not improve within six months, they are at risk of being dismissed.
Increasing productivity and minimising disorderliness is at the heart of these radical reforms. This has created a long-term plan, in which ministers are planning to downsize the institution by 10 000 jobs.
Keir Starmer has promised a £45B savings prise, linked to the radical reforms and greater use of AI.
Considering the role of AI in today’s world, the Cabinet Office has stated that no time should be spent on tasks that digital mechanisms can perform more quickly, at the same standard as employees, or even exceed the quality that humans can produce. With 25,000 civil servants currently employed under the Digital and Data Civil Servant provision making up 5% of the institution, it is likely that number is going to decrease.
Opposition to the plans from Civil Service Unions are strong. They have accused the Labour Government of “the retreading of failed ideas and narratives” and ricked “treating the civil service as a political punchbag”.
In a letter sent directly to civil servants on the morning of March 10th, Keir Starmer reassured that the shake up is being put in place to improve the workings of the institution and eliminate bureaucratic obstacles. It is vital to note that this letter was signed by Sir Chris Wormald, the Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service.
The FDA, a trade union representing senior civil servants and public service professionals, has accused the government of announcing unrealistic reforms. General Sectary of the FDA, Dave Penman stated that ministers must put “substance before headlines” and be realistic with the aims they have.
We can soon expect there to be noticeable changes to the makeup of the Civil Service and how it is run.