Civil service
We look at how the civil service works and ways to make it more effective.
Our latest analysis
See allWho runs Whitehall?
A data-led examination of the permanent secretaries and directors general in Whitehall’s 19 main ministerial departments.
Putting analysis and assessment at the heart of government
It is not only during crises that good analysis and assessment is vital.
Power with purpose: Final report of the Commission on the Centre of Government
Why the centre of government has failed successive prime ministers – and seven recommendations for radical reform.
Find out more
Size, structure and location of the civil service
Find the latest information about the size, structure, location and make-up of the civil service.
Civil service reform and accountability
Our recommendations for how the civil service can be improved, including on the accountability between the civil service, ministers and parliament.
Commission on the Centre of Government
How to radically improve the centre of government.
Our recent events
Bringing in the best: How can the civil service recruit and retain top talent?
Permanent secretaries Cat Little, Sarah Munby and Gareth Davies joined us to discuss the benefits of external recruitment.
In conversation with Alex Chisholm
The Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary spoke at the Institute for Government for his final time as a civil servant.
Fixing the centre of government
An event to launch the final report of the IfG’s Commission on the Centre of Government.
Government 2024: IfG's annual conference
The IfG brought together influential speakers and experts to explore the key questions for government in 2024.
Whitehall Monitor 2024
Our annual, data-driven assessment of the UK civil service – how it has changed and performed, and its priorities for the future.
DownloadOur explainers
Civil Service People Survey
What does the Civil Service People Survey tell us about civil servants' experience of working in government departments?
Civil Service Code
The Civil Service Code outlines the values and standards of behaviour that civil servants are expected to follow.
Cabinet Office
The Cabinet Office forms part of the centre of government, alongside 10 Downing Street and the Treasury. But what does it do?
Permanent secretaries
This explainer looks at the role of permanent secretaries, the most senior rank of civil servant.
Grade structures of the civil service
Broadly, there are five civil service job grades. We explain what they are and how civil service grade composition varies by department.
Sexual orientation in the civil service
What proportion of civil servants are LGB+ – and how does this vary by seniority and department?
Access talks with the civil service
Access talks are meetings between the civil service and opposition parties, held in the run-up to a general election.
Faith in the civil service
The diversity of faith in the civil service, and the steps being taken to support different faiths.
Age of the civil service
The age of the civil service can have consequences on the skills available to the civil service.
Our civil service team
Alex Thomas
Programme Director
Declining fast stream applications are a warning sign for the civil service
Rhys Clyne
Associate Director
Power with purpose: Final report of the Commission on the Centre of Government
Jordan Urban
Senior Researcher
Declining fast stream applications are a warning sign for the civil service
Jack Worlidge
Senior Researcher
Cat Little starts her new job at a testing time for the civil service
Sameer Aiyar-Majeed
Research Assistant