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Teodor Grama

@teodorgrama.bsky.social

560 followers 270 following 110 posts

learning & development @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, fmr research assistant (civil service & policymaking), he/him

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Teodor Grama @teodorgrama.bsky.social · Sep 4

NEW @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report just out - on how the fast stream, the civil service’s flagship talent development programme, lost its sense of purpose and how it can get it back

(A quick 🧵)

How to reform the civil service fast stream | Institute for Government

It is time to update the civil service's flagship recruitment programme.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Reposted by Teodor Grama

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 20h

The Civil Service Fast Stream applications open today!
@teodorgrama.bsky.social has updated our explainer on the government’s flagship talent development programme:

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ci...

Civil service fast stream | Institute for Government

One of several ways into the civil service, the fast stream is the government’s flagship talent development programme.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Sam Macrory @sammacrory.bsky.social · 3d

NEW: Mel Stride’s civil service savings are more signal than substance

@alexgathomas.bsky.social & @jackworlidge.bsky.social give the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk verdict on Mel Stride's civil service savings

(& yes, it's a fantasy numbers game)

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/mel-...

Mel Stride’s civil service savings are more signal than substance | Institute for Government

Setting a civil service headcount target is too simplistic.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Teodor Grama @teodorgrama.bsky.social · 9d

So recruitment is going very well. The civil service should ensure things go just as well after graduates join the scheme. We set out how it can do that most effectively in our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report earlier this month. Read it here:

How to reform the civil service fast stream | Institute for Government

It is time to update the civil service's flagship recruitment programme.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Teodor Grama @teodorgrama.bsky.social · 9d

It's hard to overstate how remarkable the turnaround has been in fast stream application numbers. A lot of it may be bound up with wider graduate job market dynamics - but choices by fast stream management (incl. on pay) definitely played a role.

A line chart from the Institute for Government showing fast stream registrations and applications, 1999-2025, where both peaked in 2025, recovering from a post-pandemic slump.

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Teodor Grama @teodorgrama.bsky.social · 9d

Between record application numbers and topping the THE graduate employer ranking, recent weeks have brought a lot of excellent news for the fast stream.

There is a major opportunity here for the civil service to grasp. Here's how.

Me for @civilserviceworld.bsky.social:

Booming interest in the Fast Stream is good news – and a major opportunity

Growing levels of interest in the programme from talented graduates could, through well-targeted reforms, be leveraged to deliver substantial retur...

www.civilserviceworld.com

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Teodor Grama @teodorgrama.bsky.social · 13d

All of this (and more!) was covered at greater length in our report from earlier this month. Read it here:

How to reform the civil service fast stream | Institute for Government

It is time to update the civil service's flagship recruitment programme.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Teodor Grama @teodorgrama.bsky.social · 13d

There is also a challenge in tumbling success rates – the civil service may lose out on many talented graduates because they are nudged towards a highly selective scheme. The fast stream's brand shouldn't overpower other talent pipelines into the CS, but sometimes it does.

Teodor Grama @teodorgrama.bsky.social · 13d

There are many great things about the fast stream. But our research revealed that a number of challenges persist – e.g. on posting quality, early exits and progression upon programme completion. There is still more that can be done to ensure the scheme delivers for the civil service.

Teodor Grama @teodorgrama.bsky.social · 13d

Excellent coverage of the latest fast stream recruitment data from @tevyemarkson.bsky.social (also featuring analysis from our recent @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report). The CSFS is attracting rising numbers of applicants – so what happens once they're on the scheme is even more important.

Civil Service World @civilserviceworld.bsky.social · 13d

NEW: The Civil Service Fast Stream received its biggest ever number of applicants for the 2025 intake of the grad scheme
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...

Fast Stream gets biggest ever number of applicants

More than 70,000 apply for 2025 Fast Stream intake, newly-published data shows

www.civilserviceworld.com

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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 15d

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

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Ben Paxton @drbenpaxton.bsky.social · 14d

Procurement is massively underrated as an opportunity for improvement, and where a mission-led approach could make a difference.
Our NEW REPORT explores why this change is hard, and how procurement should be used to shape markets + drive innovation🧵
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

The role of procurement in delivering mission-led government | Institute for Government

How can the government remove the barriers to its missions?

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 21d

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...

Civil service staff numbers | Institute for Government

Who exactly are civil servants and how many are there?

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Teodor Grama @teodorgrama.bsky.social · 21d

There is much to be celebrated about the fast stream. But it's still held back by early departures, variable quality of postings, poor pay - and a lack of clarity around what the scheme is ultimately 'for'.

Read our report on what's (not) working and how the fast stream can be reformed here:

How to reform the civil service fast stream | Institute for Government

It is time to update the civil service's flagship recruitment programme.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Teodor Grama @teodorgrama.bsky.social · 21d

The fast stream consistently ranks (near) the top of graduate employer rankings - and this year it's taken the top spot (again!).

But while graduates find the scheme very attractive, exclusive @instituteforgovernment.org.uk research shows their expectations aren't always met once on the scheme.

Civil Service Fast Stream named UK's top graduate employer

Fast Stream programme climbs to top of league table based on survey of over 15,000 graduates across UK universities.

www.gov.uk

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Matthew Gill @drmatthewgill.bsky.social · 28d

1/ My latest for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk is on the proposed “democratic lock” over the Sentencing Council. I argue that David Lammy, as new justice secretary, should overturn his predecessor's decision that all guidelines the Council issues should be subject to ministerial approval.

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 28d

David Lammy should reverse the proposed “democratic lock” over the Sentencing Council

We need a politics that does not pile pressure on ministers to overrule independent decisions, says @drmatthewgill.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/davi...

David Lammy should reverse the proposed “democratic lock” over the Sentencing Council | Institute for Government

Ministers should welcome the role of experts.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 24d

Although PPSs play an important part in maintaining links between ministers and the wider parliamentary party, expanding the payroll vote is no substitute for good party management, says @timdurrant.bsky.social

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/expa...

Expanding the payroll vote is no substitute for good party management | Institute for Government

Keir Starmer's government has the joint highest number of PPSs.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Rebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 28d

Here's the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk 'seven things we learned from Keir Starmer's reshuffle' from @jackpannell.bsky.social @timdurrant.bsky.social and I with data from @philipnye.bsky.social & our now updated Ministers Database

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/seve...

Seven things we learned from Keir Starmer’s first reshuffle | Institute for Government

What does the prime minster’s first major reshuffle tell us about his new-look government?

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Rebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · Sep 9

Over on @instituteforgovernment.org.uk live blog we're posting our 'cabinet flashcards' - key info on who's who in Starmer's reshuffled cabinet.

Helping you prepare for - presumably - the hottest round at every pub quiz this week (if your local one hasn't been cancelled due to tube strikes...)

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Rebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · Sep 8

Latest chart from the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk live blog showing the government line up post weekend reshuffle - lots of new people in new roles

Keep an eye on the blog as we take a look at the new intake and what's in their inbox

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/st...

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Cassia Rowland @cassiarowland.bsky.social · Sep 5

And onto Lammy! Hopefully he'll feel the title of deputy PM makes up for being handed one of the trickiest portfolios in politics at the moment.

Starmer government reshuffle: PM changes top team after Rayner's exit | Institute for Government

The IfG team analyse the moves as Keir Starmer reshapes his Cabinet.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Jack Pannell @jackpannell.bsky.social · Sep 5

As the second reshuffle of the week kicks off, we have launched our liveblog. We will be covering all the ins and outs as well as top analysis from our IfG experts.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/st...

Starmer government reshuffle: PM changes top team after Rayner's exit | Institute for Government

The IfG team analyse the moves as Keir Starmer reshapes his Cabinet.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Reposted by Teodor Grama

Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · Sep 5

And I thought starting Year 9 was the worst September possible…

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rayn...

Rayner’s resignation has derailed Starmer’s reset | Institute for Government

The government’s move to 'phase 2' could not have got off to a worse start.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Jack Pannell @jackpannell.bsky.social · Sep 5

With Rayner stepping down we have hit 10 minister's who have oficially resigned from this government. Make sure you are following @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social @timdurrant.bsky.social @rebeccamckee.bsky.social meganbryer.bsky.social for what Starmer will do next with his minsiterial team.

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · Sep 5

From no reshuffle to a No10 reshuffle to losing the DPM and a potential cabinet reshuffle - what a first week back

Paul Brand @paulbrand.bsky.social · Sep 5

We now expect her resignation to precipitate quite a significant reshuffle of the cabinet.

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Rebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · Sep 5

A new episode of Inside Briefing the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk podcast is out, with me @hannahkeenan.bsky.social @cathhaddon.bsky.social & @teodorgrama.bsky.social talking about delivery (obvs) and the Civil Service Fast Stream

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/collection/p...

Stand and deliver? | Institute for Government

Starmer moves to 'delivery, delivery, delivery'.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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