New diversity and inclusion plan for Civil Service

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Steve Barclay has said that the people who design and deliver government services across the UK should better reflect those they serve.

The Civil Service has launched its new Diversity and Inclusion Strategy which will see the public sector draw on the widest range of talent from different geographical, social and ethnic backgrounds.

The strategy also steps up a range of engagement with schools and communities in order to increase diversity, including: 50 new Enterprise Advisers to work directly with schools and colleges to raise awareness of and encourage education leavers into Civil Service roles; expanding outreach to schools with a higher proportion of students on free school meals; and recruiting 1,000 prison leavers into Civil Service roles by the end of 2023.

Barclay said: “It’s vital that the Civil Service reflects the people it serves right across the UK. That’s why we’re relocating Civil Service roles out of London, allowing us to draw better on the skills and talent of people across the country. This will help us level up the country, while bringing in more key skills in areas such as data and technology.”

The Cabinet Office has also reported that the Civil Service will also become less reliant on the advice of external organisations for its diversity advice and policy. This will include those whose activities sometimes do not align to the Civil Service’s commitment to impartiality. A specialist in-house team will ensure that the new strategy is being successfully implemented.

Through the Places for Growth programme, 22,000 Civil Service roles will be relocated out of London, contributing to levelling up and meaning that policy makers are closer to the people they serve. 2,000 roles have already moved and departments have already moved out of the capital. Half of senior Civil Service roles will also be located outside of London by 2030.