The Cabinet Office has published terms of reference for the review of civil service “organisation, performance and transformation” that outgoing PM Keir Starmer announced last month.
Cabinet secretary Dame Antonia Romeo was tasked with leading the review, which is due to complete by summer next year, before Starmer announced his decision to step down as prime minister – although his exit was widely anticipated.
In a written statement to parliament yesterday, Starmer told MPs the review will “examine the full range of activities undertaken by the civil service”. He said that will include “the size, shape, and structure of the civil service, the impact of AI and technology on the service, the ability of the civil service to attract and retain the best talent from across the country, and the statutory footing of the service”.
According to the terms of reference for the review, which were also published yesterday, the review will take in the work of “every organisation and department”, both in the UK and abroad.
The final report is intended to include proposals on “strengthening accountability and capability to deliver for the country and for citizens, now and for the future”.
The terms of reference say the main areas of focus will be: delivery, innovation and productivity, and pride and trust; safeguarding impartiality and core values, including refreshing the civil service code; and enhancing trust in the service felt by ministers, parliament and the public.
The terms of reference say the review will consider: the size, shape, and structure of the future service; AI and technology as enablers of delivery and transformation; current and future capabilities; performance management; and accountabilities and reporting lines.
Also under the spotlight will be reward, remuneration, and incentives; recruitment systems “to attract and retain the best talent in all regions across the country”; core values and the civil service code; and the statutory basis of the service.
According to the terms of reference, the review will include interviews with “relevant individuals” inside and outside government, and look at global best practice. The document says “expert advisers from academia, private, public, civil society, and international spheres” will be among those given input.
The House of Commons’ Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee and the House of Lords’ Constitution Committee will also be consulted as part of the review.
The terms of reference state that the review will “culminate in a report setting out a vision for the future civil service as a world class institution, to deliver for ministers and the public”, with recommendations for reform to achieve that goal.
The review is due to report “before summer 2027”, suggesting it will be published ahead of parliament’s summer recess in July next year. The terms of reference are clear that the final report will be made available to the public.
In his statement, Starmer said that the review would not be the only work on civil service reform undertaken over the coming months.
“Alongside this fundamental review, the cabinet secretary and permanent secretaries will continue to deliver urgent work to improve delivery and accountability, innovation and productivity, and pride and trust, in and across the civil service,” he said.
Starmer could leave Downing Street in less than three weeks if Andy Burnham is the only candidate to succeed him as Labour Party leader and PM.
If there are multiple candidates and a leadership contest takes place, Starmer is expected to remain as PM until late August.