A cabinet secretary review of the “organisation, performance and transformation of the permanent civil service” is set to report its findings in early 2027.
The review was trailed by the prime minister last week as part of his announcement of a Cabinet Manual refresh, and follows the inclusion of "reforming the civil service so that it is recognised for excellence in delivery, innovation and improved productivity" among Dame Antonia Romeo's objectives as cabinet secretary.
CSW understands the review will consider, among other things, the size, shape and structure of the civil service, the impact of AI and technology on the civil service, and its ability to attract and retain the best talent from across the country.
It will culminate in a report setting out a vision for the civil service's future as a world class institution serving the duly elected government of the day, with the intention of building on its existing strengths.
The report will include recommendations on strengthening accountability and capability to deliver for the country, and safeguarding impartiality and the core values of the permanent civil service.
Another of the central priorities of the review will be to strengthen trust with ministers, parliament and the public, with a refresh of the civil service code to focus on this.
In undertaking the review, Romeo will draw on a panel of expert advisers from across academia, private and public sectors, civil society and the international sphere.
Full terms of reference, including timings, will be published in the summer.
In a letter to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee published this week, Romeo gave more details on the timeline for both the review and the Cabinet Manual, including an expected reporting date.
The cab sec said: “The Cabinet Manual update is part of a wider programme of work to strengthen the operation of government, including the review into the organisation, performance and transformation of the permanent civil service, which I have agreed with the prime minister that I will lead, and which will report in a similar timeframe to the updated Cabinet Manual. The government’s ambition is to publish the second edition of the manual in early 2027.”
To enable the Cabinet Manual refresh to be completed in early 2027, Romeo said she plans to share the draft text with PACAC and the House of Lords’ Constitution Committee this autumn, and has asked the committee to help the government to “maintain the timeline”.
Starmer said last week that the manual – which sets out the laws, conventions and rules under which the government operates – has “become significantly out of date, most notably in its descriptions of general elections, the UK’s relationship with the EU, and the devolution settlements”.
The manual, which is primarily an authoritative reference for ministers and civil servants, but also has a role in making the operation of government more accessible to parliament and the public, was first published in 2011 and has not been updated since.
“Its value for ministers and officials, helping them navigate the UK’s constitutional arrangements, has been diminished by this lack of accuracy,” Starmer said.
The PM said the update will “restore the manual’s status as an authoritative guide” and “will also restate and underline the rules and conventions that underpin our democracy”.