Martin Stanley
@ukcivilservant.bsky.social
I write about, and for, the UK civil service and regulators. Author 'How to be a Civil Servant' and 'How to Succeed in the Senior Civil Service'. Previously Business Department and CMA.
Only 10 copies left of my Christmas stocking book, ideal for those working in any large organisation:- *Speaking Truth to Power*. Some sample pages below.
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1838467971
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1838467971
December 18, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Only 10 copies left of my Christmas stocking book, ideal for those working in any large organisation:- *Speaking Truth to Power*. Some sample pages below.
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1838467971
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1838467971
It's worth remembering that the civil service is a relatively tiny fraction of the UK public sector which is itself much smaller than the private sector.
More detail is here:-
www.civilservant.org.uk/information-...
More detail is here:-
www.civilservant.org.uk/information-...
December 16, 2025 at 1:08 PM
It's worth remembering that the civil service is a relatively tiny fraction of the UK public sector which is itself much smaller than the private sector.
More detail is here:-
www.civilservant.org.uk/information-...
More detail is here:-
www.civilservant.org.uk/information-...
Civil Service numbers increase yet again - now 35% more than summer 2016.
December 16, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Civil Service numbers increase yet again - now 35% more than summer 2016.
And wouldn't it be a good idea if civil servants - and others - were better at *Speaking Truth to Power*? Some entertaining stories and good advice are in my short paperback, also now on half-price pre-Christmas sale (£3.99):
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1838467971
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1838467971
December 4, 2025 at 11:55 AM
And wouldn't it be a good idea if civil servants - and others - were better at *Speaking Truth to Power*? Some entertaining stories and good advice are in my short paperback, also now on half-price pre-Christmas sale (£3.99):
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1838467971
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1838467971
Need a stocking-filler? My ever-popular guide to the Civil Service and Westminster is now half-price (£7.50) on Amazon:
www.amazon.co.uk/How-Civil-Se...
www.amazon.co.uk/How-Civil-Se...
December 4, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Need a stocking-filler? My ever-popular guide to the Civil Service and Westminster is now half-price (£7.50) on Amazon:
www.amazon.co.uk/How-Civil-Se...
www.amazon.co.uk/How-Civil-Se...
Banx, briilliant as ever, in the @financialtimes.com last week.
November 18, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Banx, briilliant as ever, in the @financialtimes.com last week.
Interesting exchange below. I agree that many specialist leaders of specialist Arms Length Bodies are poor managers. (ONS = recent example?) It can be a good idea to ensure they are supported by an experienced manager who does not need to have similar professional expertise.
November 12, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Interesting exchange below. I agree that many specialist leaders of specialist Arms Length Bodies are poor managers. (ONS = recent example?) It can be a good idea to ensure they are supported by an experienced manager who does not need to have similar professional expertise.
Lots of generations can be experienced in/near the Tower of London. This photo contains parts of the Tower itself, its Armistice Day poppy display and the Shard.
November 10, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Lots of generations can be experienced in/near the Tower of London. This photo contains parts of the Tower itself, its Armistice Day poppy display and the Shard.
'Though occasionally rather spooky.
November 2, 2025 at 4:57 PM
'Though occasionally rather spooky.
Kew Gardens were lovely today.
November 2, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Kew Gardens were lovely today.
It's perhaps worth stressing that the UK Civil Service is a small proportion of the total public sector, and a much smaller proportion of total employment.
September 16, 2025 at 8:18 AM
It's perhaps worth stressing that the UK Civil Service is a small proportion of the total public sector, and a much smaller proportion of total employment.
Civil Service Numbers continue to creep upwards. There were 517,000 (full time equivalent) civil servants at the end of June, 4,000 up on a year earlier - and 133,000 more than in the summer of 2016 when there was a referendum ...
September 16, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Civil Service Numbers continue to creep upwards. There were 517,000 (full time equivalent) civil servants at the end of June, 4,000 up on a year earlier - and 133,000 more than in the summer of 2016 when there was a referendum ...
Hard to disagree with Iain Dale's analysis of the recent reshuffle. ( iaindale.substack.com/p/mr-dales-d... )
September 7, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Hard to disagree with Iain Dale's analysis of the recent reshuffle. ( iaindale.substack.com/p/mr-dales-d... )
This one of several 3+ foot high 'flags' that have been attached to road signs in North Devon. I doubt they are pure expressions of national pride.
September 3, 2025 at 5:42 PM
This one of several 3+ foot high 'flags' that have been attached to road signs in North Devon. I doubt they are pure expressions of national pride.
There are now only 14 copies left of this popular book - recently updated and currently on sale at half-price:- www.amazon.co.uk/How-Civil-Se...
August 24, 2025 at 12:30 PM
There are now only 14 copies left of this popular book - recently updated and currently on sale at half-price:- www.amazon.co.uk/How-Civil-Se...
Before and after:- The residents of the Oval gasometer will have a great view of the cricket.
August 23, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Before and after:- The residents of the Oval gasometer will have a great view of the cricket.
GDP/Head is beginning to pick up - rising at around 1.7%pa between 2024 Q4 and 2025 Q2.
August 14, 2025 at 12:21 PM
GDP/Head is beginning to pick up - rising at around 1.7%pa between 2024 Q4 and 2025 Q2.
UK ministers frequently despair of economists who constantly witter on about the benefits of competition and free trade. Let's hope they don't begin to follow the example recently set by their Venezuelan counterparts who are now arresting 'independent economists'. (@oldtrotter.bsky.social !)
June 23, 2025 at 11:33 AM
UK ministers frequently despair of economists who constantly witter on about the benefits of competition and free trade. Let's hope they don't begin to follow the example recently set by their Venezuelan counterparts who are now arresting 'independent economists'. (@oldtrotter.bsky.social !)
Just arrived. That's my reading sorted for the next day or two!
June 12, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Just arrived. That's my reading sorted for the next day or two!
Slight uptick in civil service numbers in Q1 2025. Total 516k now 132k more than at time of Brexit referendum.
June 11, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Slight uptick in civil service numbers in Q1 2025. Total 516k now 132k more than at time of Brexit referendum.
I remember acknowledging Mr Heseltine's appointment.
June 3, 2025 at 7:01 PM
I remember acknowledging Mr Heseltine's appointment.
France can clearly be seen from Folkestone this morning. Lovely day for a crossing …
May 20, 2025 at 11:17 AM
France can clearly be seen from Folkestone this morning. Lovely day for a crossing …
"Considering that no English Sovereign has deigned to visit Hackney since Charles II, the inhabitants showed [Queen Victoria] a very forgiving spirit for past neglect." 2/2
May 18, 2025 at 8:42 PM
"Considering that no English Sovereign has deigned to visit Hackney since Charles II, the inhabitants showed [Queen Victoria] a very forgiving spirit for past neglect." 2/2
The distribution of rich and poor within London hasn't changed much in the last 150 years. This is from 'The Graphic' April 1873. 1/2
May 18, 2025 at 8:39 PM
The distribution of rich and poor within London hasn't changed much in the last 150 years. This is from 'The Graphic' April 1873. 1/2
*The* Magna Carta? Has anyone corrected the National Trust?
@davidallengreen.bsky.social
@davidallengreen.bsky.social
May 11, 2025 at 10:47 AM
*The* Magna Carta? Has anyone corrected the National Trust?
@davidallengreen.bsky.social
@davidallengreen.bsky.social