Whitehall is too ‘tame, reactive and risk-averse’, says UK’s top civil servant
Summary
UK Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo said she plans major changes to civil service performance management and organisation. She said the reforms aim to improve productivity, address poor performance and use AI to reduce bureaucracy while helping officials focus on public services.Key Facts
- Romeo described parts of the civil service as risk-averse, reactive and siloed.
- She said recent increases in bonuses for high-performing senior civil servants were only a first step.
- Her proposed performance system would reward strong delivery, expertise and officials who stay in roles to complete work.
- Romeo said managers would receive stronger processes and training to reward high impact and address poor performance.
- A review due in the spring will examine departmental structures, cross-government work, AI and devolution.
- Romeo said AI could reduce bureaucracy and support more predictive, preventative and personalised public services, with safeguards.
- A government spokesperson said Andy Burnham supports Romeo’s vision for a civil service fit for the future.
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