Jack Worlidge
@jackworlidge.bsky.social
Working on civil service @instituteforgovernment.org.uk. Former SpAd to Deputy Prime Minister at MoJ, parliamentary staffer, lobbyist. Views my own.
Reposted by Jack Worlidge
Our reaction to Mel Stride’s big day at the Tory conference
There are savings to be made in the civil service. But an arbitrary headcount target & ignoring new demands on the state won’t deliver them
The hard work of doing that falls to the govt
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/mel-...
There are savings to be made in the civil service. But an arbitrary headcount target & ignoring new demands on the state won’t deliver them
The hard work of doing that falls to the govt
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/mel-...
October 6, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Our reaction to Mel Stride’s big day at the Tory conference
There are savings to be made in the civil service. But an arbitrary headcount target & ignoring new demands on the state won’t deliver them
The hard work of doing that falls to the govt
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/mel-...
There are savings to be made in the civil service. But an arbitrary headcount target & ignoring new demands on the state won’t deliver them
The hard work of doing that falls to the govt
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/mel-...
Reposted by Jack Worlidge
The @instituteforgovernment.org.uk team is back on our party conference travels.
This time to Manchester, where @kemibadenochmp.bsky.social is under pressure to give the Conservatives reason to be optimistic - writes @jackworlidge.bsky.social:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/kemi...
This time to Manchester, where @kemibadenochmp.bsky.social is under pressure to give the Conservatives reason to be optimistic - writes @jackworlidge.bsky.social:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/kemi...
Can Kemi Badenoch bring optimism to the Conservative Party Conference? | Institute for Government
The Conservative Party Conference brings challenges and opportunities for the leader of the opposition.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 5, 2025 at 2:28 PM
The @instituteforgovernment.org.uk team is back on our party conference travels.
This time to Manchester, where @kemibadenochmp.bsky.social is under pressure to give the Conservatives reason to be optimistic - writes @jackworlidge.bsky.social:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/kemi...
This time to Manchester, where @kemibadenochmp.bsky.social is under pressure to give the Conservatives reason to be optimistic - writes @jackworlidge.bsky.social:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/kemi...
Reposted by Jack Worlidge
Special Delivery! @emma-conway.bsky.social and I have been thinking about how Keir Starmer and co (especially Darren Jones) can make a success of 'phase two' - which is all about delivering on the government's priorities. Read more here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/star...
How Keir Starmer’s government can be built for delivery | Institute for Government
The prime minister can learn from the past to make a success of “phase two” of his government.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
September 24, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Special Delivery! @emma-conway.bsky.social and I have been thinking about how Keir Starmer and co (especially Darren Jones) can make a success of 'phase two' - which is all about delivering on the government's priorities. Read more here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/star...
The essential analysis of latest changes in civil service staff numbers from @howesdaniel.bsky.social 👇
No surprise that the civil service is *still* growing, though at a far lower rate than in recent years
No surprise that the civil service is *still* growing, though at a far lower rate than in recent years
1/ If you've been itching to know how the size of the civil service has changed... we at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk have you covered.
I've crunched the numbers from the latest ONS data release, which you can read about here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ci...
I've crunched the numbers from the latest ONS data release, which you can read about here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ci...
Civil service staff numbers | Institute for Government
Who exactly are civil servants and how many are there?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
September 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The essential analysis of latest changes in civil service staff numbers from @howesdaniel.bsky.social 👇
No surprise that the civil service is *still* growing, though at a far lower rate than in recent years
No surprise that the civil service is *still* growing, though at a far lower rate than in recent years
Reposted by Jack Worlidge
Many organisations run graduate schemes focused on developing future leaders. That's what the fast stream has always been, at its core. It now needs to overcome the instinct to be all things to all people and rediscover that sense of purpose.
Me for @civilserviceworld.bsky.social:
Me for @civilserviceworld.bsky.social:
The Fast Stream needs to rediscover its sense of purpose
A smaller Fast Stream – laser-focused on developing future leaders – would deliver more for the civil service and the country
www.civilserviceworld.com
September 4, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Many organisations run graduate schemes focused on developing future leaders. That's what the fast stream has always been, at its core. It now needs to overcome the instinct to be all things to all people and rediscover that sense of purpose.
Me for @civilserviceworld.bsky.social:
Me for @civilserviceworld.bsky.social:
Brilliant new @instituteforgovernment.org.uk research from @teodorgrama.bsky.social on the civil service fast stream - setting out how it's lost its sense of purpose, and what should be done about it 👇
Civil service graduate talent scheme needs urgent reform, says thinktank
Civil service graduate talent scheme needs urgent reform, says thinktank
Exclusive: Institute for Government says failings are leading many fast streamers to leave programme early
The civil service’s fast stream needs urgent reform as many graduates are leaving before the end of the scheme amid dissatisfaction with pay and progression, according to a report.
The Institute for Government (IfG) thinktank found the flagship graduate talent scheme lacks a clear purpose and direction at a time when the government is trying to overhaul the civil service to make it more productive. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 4, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Brilliant new @instituteforgovernment.org.uk research from @teodorgrama.bsky.social on the civil service fast stream - setting out how it's lost its sense of purpose, and what should be done about it 👇
Reposted by Jack Worlidge
Great to see our latest @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report on the fast stream covered in The Guardian.
The civil service wants the fast stream to do too much, all at once. A smaller programme that is laser-focused on developing future leaders would deliver more for the civil service.
The civil service wants the fast stream to do too much, all at once. A smaller programme that is laser-focused on developing future leaders would deliver more for the civil service.
Civil service graduate talent scheme needs urgent reform, says thinktank
Exclusive: Institute for Government says failings are leading many fast streamers to leave programme early
www.theguardian.com
September 4, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Great to see our latest @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report on the fast stream covered in The Guardian.
The civil service wants the fast stream to do too much, all at once. A smaller programme that is laser-focused on developing future leaders would deliver more for the civil service.
The civil service wants the fast stream to do too much, all at once. A smaller programme that is laser-focused on developing future leaders would deliver more for the civil service.
Reposted by Jack Worlidge
I'm not blaming anyone in particular. 100% of the pressures in politics are short term, 95% of the policy dilemmas are long term, and so government is basically a dialogue of the deaf. A wonk in one corner saying "we need difficult tax reform" and a PR guy responding "give me something for the Mail"
September 1, 2025 at 7:49 AM
I'm not blaming anyone in particular. 100% of the pressures in politics are short term, 95% of the policy dilemmas are long term, and so government is basically a dialogue of the deaf. A wonk in one corner saying "we need difficult tax reform" and a PR guy responding "give me something for the Mail"
Reposted by Jack Worlidge
The government is restricting civil service internships to applicants from lower socio-economic backgrounds to get more working-class young people into the civil service.
Using internships will not solve everything, but the experiment is worthwhile www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/soci...
Using internships will not solve everything, but the experiment is worthwhile www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/soci...
The socio-economic background of civil servants needs to change | Institute for Government
No internship scheme will change the fundamental structural points which the civil service needs to address.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
August 1, 2025 at 2:35 PM
The government is restricting civil service internships to applicants from lower socio-economic backgrounds to get more working-class young people into the civil service.
Using internships will not solve everything, but the experiment is worthwhile www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/soci...
Using internships will not solve everything, but the experiment is worthwhile www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/soci...
Reposted by Jack Worlidge
I also think we're at risk of losing sight that we're talking about 200 people here. 0.04% of the civil service. An internship is as good a shout as any to improve diversity (let's see if it works), but gov needs to sort other stuff including pay and wider recruitment too. Some thoughts from IfG 👇
August 1, 2025 at 2:37 PM
I also think we're at risk of losing sight that we're talking about 200 people here. 0.04% of the civil service. An internship is as good a shout as any to improve diversity (let's see if it works), but gov needs to sort other stuff including pay and wider recruitment too. Some thoughts from IfG 👇
Reposted by Jack Worlidge
Joining @hannahkeenan.bsky.social and @jackworlidge.bsky.social, looking at grades in this year's CS Stats, the growth of Grades 6/7 continues, rising 5% from 2024. All grades have continued to grow, except AO/AA. But growth is slowing - except for SCS, which grew more in 2024-25 than 2023-24. (1/2)
July 31, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Joining @hannahkeenan.bsky.social and @jackworlidge.bsky.social, looking at grades in this year's CS Stats, the growth of Grades 6/7 continues, rising 5% from 2024. All grades have continued to grow, except AO/AA. But growth is slowing - except for SCS, which grew more in 2024-25 than 2023-24. (1/2)
Civil service pay is another interesting story in this year's stats, with real terms pay ticking up again as expected...
Happy civil service statistics release day to all who celebrate!
Lots more to come from colleagues @jackworlidge.bsky.social, @hcdunlop.bsky.social, and @alexgathomas.bsky.social, but some initial thoughts on turnover, and the possibility that churn is hiding in the stats...
Lots more to come from colleagues @jackworlidge.bsky.social, @hcdunlop.bsky.social, and @alexgathomas.bsky.social, but some initial thoughts on turnover, and the possibility that churn is hiding in the stats...
July 31, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Civil service pay is another interesting story in this year's stats, with real terms pay ticking up again as expected...
Reposted by Jack Worlidge
Departmental Efficiency Plans published alongside the spending review project major efficiency gains in the next few years. For some depts, these plans are heavily weighted towards the end of the SR period. And many depts seem to be betting big on digital to deliver the efficiencies they seek.
June 11, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Departmental Efficiency Plans published alongside the spending review project major efficiency gains in the next few years. For some depts, these plans are heavily weighted towards the end of the SR period. And many depts seem to be betting big on digital to deliver the efficiencies they seek.
The SR confirms an overall 16% real terms cut to dept administration budgets by 2029/30 (which will drive down staff numbers)....
...but for lots of depts, including the largest and biggest spenders, these cuts are suspiciously (implausibly?) weighted to the final year
...but for lots of depts, including the largest and biggest spenders, these cuts are suspiciously (implausibly?) weighted to the final year
June 11, 2025 at 1:55 PM
The SR confirms an overall 16% real terms cut to dept administration budgets by 2029/30 (which will drive down staff numbers)....
...but for lots of depts, including the largest and biggest spenders, these cuts are suspiciously (implausibly?) weighted to the final year
...but for lots of depts, including the largest and biggest spenders, these cuts are suspiciously (implausibly?) weighted to the final year
Reposted by Jack Worlidge
When I was working at HMT, during one fiscal event, someone senior came on the building intercom to ask us to stop watching the statement on our computers, to free up some bandwidth so they could upload the documents. Maybe they still haven’t upgraded to fiber?
June 11, 2025 at 12:11 PM
When I was working at HMT, during one fiscal event, someone senior came on the building intercom to ask us to stop watching the statement on our computers, to free up some bandwidth so they could upload the documents. Maybe they still haven’t upgraded to fiber?
New civil service staff numbers out today - and it looks like we're *back* to expansion again...
Details from @teodorgrama.bsky.social 👇
Details from @teodorgrama.bsky.social 👇
🚨 Civil service expands… again
New data show CS staff numbers increased by 0.4% in Q1 2025.
The 2,020 additional staff more than wiped out the ~600 FTE reductions recorded in Q4 2024 (only the second quarter since the Brexit referendum when the CS shrank).
(Quick 🧵)
New data show CS staff numbers increased by 0.4% in Q1 2025.
The 2,020 additional staff more than wiped out the ~600 FTE reductions recorded in Q4 2024 (only the second quarter since the Brexit referendum when the CS shrank).
(Quick 🧵)
June 10, 2025 at 4:37 PM
New civil service staff numbers out today - and it looks like we're *back* to expansion again...
Details from @teodorgrama.bsky.social 👇
Details from @teodorgrama.bsky.social 👇
Reposted by Jack Worlidge
An overall positive result in the results of the recent Microsoft 365 Copilot experiment - with some risks to carefully manage 🧵
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Microsoft 365 Copilot Experiment: Cross-Government Findings Report (HTML)
www.gov.uk
June 3, 2025 at 11:29 AM
An overall positive result in the results of the recent Microsoft 365 Copilot experiment - with some risks to carefully manage 🧵
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Good news on Places for Growth - as predicted, the programme met its target of relocating 22k jobs out of London, ahead of (accelerated) schedule.
(Even if it's not totally clear how that's calculated..)
It's also welcome that the Labour govt continued with the programme, started under prev govt
(Even if it's not totally clear how that's calculated..)
It's also welcome that the Labour govt continued with the programme, started under prev govt
New figures show slower progress on target for 50% of senior civil servant roles to be out of London
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
Places for Growth: More than 23,000 civil service jobs have been relocated, new data shows
Cabinet Office figures reveal slower progress on target for 50% of senior civil servant roles to be out of London
www.civilserviceworld.com
May 30, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Good news on Places for Growth - as predicted, the programme met its target of relocating 22k jobs out of London, ahead of (accelerated) schedule.
(Even if it's not totally clear how that's calculated..)
It's also welcome that the Labour govt continued with the programme, started under prev govt
(Even if it's not totally clear how that's calculated..)
It's also welcome that the Labour govt continued with the programme, started under prev govt
Essential context from @teodorgrama.bsky.social on the prevalence of EDI roles in the civil service - and how much (/little) could be saved by scrapping them
How many EDI roles are there in the civil service?
Cabinet Office data released yesterday (from a review commissioned by the previous govt) tells us - about 350 (FTE) between July 2022 and July 2023.
Or the equivalent of ~0.07% of the whole civil service over that period.
Quick 🧵
Cabinet Office data released yesterday (from a review commissioned by the previous govt) tells us - about 350 (FTE) between July 2022 and July 2023.
Or the equivalent of ~0.07% of the whole civil service over that period.
Quick 🧵
May 30, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Essential context from @teodorgrama.bsky.social on the prevalence of EDI roles in the civil service - and how much (/little) could be saved by scrapping them
The latest speculation over the future of civil service staff numbers as a result of the spending review...
There's definitely room to cut, but briefings aside, it seems that ministers are still avoiding setting a firm headcount target - which is the right approach
www.ft.com/content/1311...
There's definitely room to cut, but briefings aside, it seems that ministers are still avoiding setting a firm headcount target - which is the right approach
www.ft.com/content/1311...
One in 10 UK civil service jobs facing axe
About 50,000 Whitehall posts set to be cut in ‘brutal’ public spending review, officials say
www.ft.com
May 29, 2025 at 9:25 AM
The latest speculation over the future of civil service staff numbers as a result of the spending review...
There's definitely room to cut, but briefings aside, it seems that ministers are still avoiding setting a firm headcount target - which is the right approach
www.ft.com/content/1311...
There's definitely room to cut, but briefings aside, it seems that ministers are still avoiding setting a firm headcount target - which is the right approach
www.ft.com/content/1311...
Reposted by Jack Worlidge
EVENT | Effective urban leadership: What are the international lessons for England’s mayors?
📅Wednesday 21 May, 09.30-10.30
Join us to discuss what lessons England’s growing cohort of mayors can learn from other countries.
🎫Sign up:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/effect...
📅Wednesday 21 May, 09.30-10.30
Join us to discuss what lessons England’s growing cohort of mayors can learn from other countries.
🎫Sign up:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/effect...
May 12, 2025 at 3:46 PM
EVENT | Effective urban leadership: What are the international lessons for England’s mayors?
📅Wednesday 21 May, 09.30-10.30
Join us to discuss what lessons England’s growing cohort of mayors can learn from other countries.
🎫Sign up:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/effect...
📅Wednesday 21 May, 09.30-10.30
Join us to discuss what lessons England’s growing cohort of mayors can learn from other countries.
🎫Sign up:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/effect...
Reposted by Jack Worlidge
Headline of moving 12,000 CS jobs outside of London seems to have lots of strands to it. In summary lots good, and lots to do on CS reform still! 🧵
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Major Whitehall buildings to be shut to shed 12,000 civil servant jobs in London
Move to bring number of full-time government staff working in Whitehall down from 95,000 to about 83,000
www.theguardian.com
May 14, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Headline of moving 12,000 CS jobs outside of London seems to have lots of strands to it. In summary lots good, and lots to do on CS reform still! 🧵
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Jack Worlidge
Great event kicking off here @instituteforgovernment.org.uk on rewiring the state. Michael Jary - former gov lead non exec director - kicks off with the case for forward-looking reform: 'populists flourish when governments fail to deliver'
TODAY: How can government be transformed?
Join us today at 12.30 as Michael Jary, the government’s former lead Non-Executive Director, sets out his views on what the re-wiring of the British state would look like
Register👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/how-ca...
Join us today at 12.30 as Michael Jary, the government’s former lead Non-Executive Director, sets out his views on what the re-wiring of the British state would look like
Register👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/how-ca...
April 30, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Great event kicking off here @instituteforgovernment.org.uk on rewiring the state. Michael Jary - former gov lead non exec director - kicks off with the case for forward-looking reform: 'populists flourish when governments fail to deliver'
Cabinet Office has indeed grown a *lot* in recent years
Some of this reflects the build up of the civil service's corporate functions (eg HR, commercial) - whose employees often sit in line departments while formally being in CO.
But even so - this is a very big increase
Some of this reflects the build up of the civil service's corporate functions (eg HR, commercial) - whose employees often sit in line departments while formally being in CO.
But even so - this is a very big increase
April 10, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Cabinet Office has indeed grown a *lot* in recent years
Some of this reflects the build up of the civil service's corporate functions (eg HR, commercial) - whose employees often sit in line departments while formally being in CO.
But even so - this is a very big increase
Some of this reflects the build up of the civil service's corporate functions (eg HR, commercial) - whose employees often sit in line departments while formally being in CO.
But even so - this is a very big increase
Great piece from @teodorgrama.bsky.social here - the latest in a series looking at how government can learn from the past in some important policy areas ⬇️
The passage of Labour's Tobacco and Vapes bill has been plain sailing so far. But history shows the success of anti-smoking policy hinges on cross-party (& public) buy-in, which the govt must not take for granted - certainly not now.
My latest for @instituteforgov.bsky.social 👇
My latest for @instituteforgov.bsky.social 👇
Smokefree generation: How to turn manifesto promises into tangible results | Institute for Government
What the government can learn from past anti-smoking legislation for its 'smokefree generation' commitment.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
April 4, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Great piece from @teodorgrama.bsky.social here - the latest in a series looking at how government can learn from the past in some important policy areas ⬇️