Daniel Howes
@howesdaniel.bsky.social
Research assistant: civil service and public bodies, @instituteforgovernment.org.uk. Cymro
5/ While the number of ALBs increased to 306 by end of FY 2024/25, total funding allotted to ALBs in 2023/24 (latest year of data) actually fell by 0.61% in real terms. This cut was felt across NDPBs whose funding decreased by 7.6%. Worth noting: 109 ALBs receive no govt funding at all
January 13, 2026 at 10:06 AM
5/ While the number of ALBs increased to 306 by end of FY 2024/25, total funding allotted to ALBs in 2023/24 (latest year of data) actually fell by 0.61% in real terms. This cut was felt across NDPBs whose funding decreased by 7.6%. Worth noting: 109 ALBs receive no govt funding at all
4/ The CS grew again in 2025 (520,440 FTE as of Q3), but growth was slower than 2024 (1% vs. 3.8%). This is due to fewer entrants as opposed to more leavers - probably b/c of short-term fixes like recruitment freezes. Govt will need to address structural issues for size to come down and stay down
January 13, 2026 at 10:06 AM
4/ The CS grew again in 2025 (520,440 FTE as of Q3), but growth was slower than 2024 (1% vs. 3.8%). This is due to fewer entrants as opposed to more leavers - probably b/c of short-term fixes like recruitment freezes. Govt will need to address structural issues for size to come down and stay down
3/ Perm secs remain incredibly experienced civil servants. Cab Sec Wormald became DG in 2006 and perm sec in 2012! However, new perm secs have some external experience (e.g. JRF, Goldman), showing value placed on bringing new ideas into the top positions.
(PS do not ask how long this chart took me)
(PS do not ask how long this chart took me)
January 13, 2026 at 10:06 AM
3/ Perm secs remain incredibly experienced civil servants. Cab Sec Wormald became DG in 2006 and perm sec in 2012! However, new perm secs have some external experience (e.g. JRF, Goldman), showing value placed on bringing new ideas into the top positions.
(PS do not ask how long this chart took me)
(PS do not ask how long this chart took me)
2/ Over 1/2 of all depts have new perm secs at the helm since GE 2024. While this scale of change is not unusual (9/16 dept heads changed in 2010), it does pose challenges as leaders get to grips with briefs. Add in Sep reshuffle and 5 depts have both new a SoS and perm sec (i.e. big big change!)
January 13, 2026 at 10:06 AM
2/ Over 1/2 of all depts have new perm secs at the helm since GE 2024. While this scale of change is not unusual (9/16 dept heads changed in 2010), it does pose challenges as leaders get to grips with briefs. Add in Sep reshuffle and 5 depts have both new a SoS and perm sec (i.e. big big change!)
2/ The bulk of this increase occurred at HMRC, which grew by 1185, but the Cabinet Office saw the largest proportional increase (4.4%).
This addition of 695 FTE staff comes as up to 1200 staff are being paid to leave the CO by May 2027 through voluntary exit schemes…
This addition of 695 FTE staff comes as up to 1200 staff are being paid to leave the CO by May 2027 through voluntary exit schemes…
December 16, 2025 at 11:35 AM
2/ The bulk of this increase occurred at HMRC, which grew by 1185, but the Cabinet Office saw the largest proportional increase (4.4%).
This addition of 695 FTE staff comes as up to 1200 staff are being paid to leave the CO by May 2027 through voluntary exit schemes…
This addition of 695 FTE staff comes as up to 1200 staff are being paid to leave the CO by May 2027 through voluntary exit schemes…
1/ The latest ONS data on public sector employment shows that the civil service has grown (again).
After 2 consecutive quarters of plateauing growth, the CS grew in Q3 by 3490 (0.6%) to 520440 FTE. This is the highest quarterly increase since Labour came to power.
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
After 2 consecutive quarters of plateauing growth, the CS grew in Q3 by 3490 (0.6%) to 520440 FTE. This is the highest quarterly increase since Labour came to power.
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
December 16, 2025 at 11:35 AM
1/ The latest ONS data on public sector employment shows that the civil service has grown (again).
After 2 consecutive quarters of plateauing growth, the CS grew in Q3 by 3490 (0.6%) to 520440 FTE. This is the highest quarterly increase since Labour came to power.
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
After 2 consecutive quarters of plateauing growth, the CS grew in Q3 by 3490 (0.6%) to 520440 FTE. This is the highest quarterly increase since Labour came to power.
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
4/ The most striking change from the previous quarter is the large proportional increase in the size of DSIT, which has grown by 12.8%. This is due to a transfer of staff from GDS in the Cabinet Office to DSIT, reflective of this MoG change: hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2024...
September 18, 2025 at 3:45 PM
4/ The most striking change from the previous quarter is the large proportional increase in the size of DSIT, which has grown by 12.8%. This is due to a transfer of staff from GDS in the Cabinet Office to DSIT, reflective of this MoG change: hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2024...
3/ The largest department is still the MoJ with over 90,000 staff, most of whom work outside the ‘core’ department in HM Prison and Probation Service. The smallest department, DCMS, is over 40 times smaller, with 2,125 staff.
September 18, 2025 at 3:45 PM
3/ The largest department is still the MoJ with over 90,000 staff, most of whom work outside the ‘core’ department in HM Prison and Probation Service. The smallest department, DCMS, is over 40 times smaller, with 2,125 staff.
2/ The headline statistic is that the CS has grown (again) to an overall FTE size of 516,950 – 3,750 more than this time last year (0.73%) and 480 (0.1%) more than last quarter (Q1 2025).
September 18, 2025 at 3:45 PM
2/ The headline statistic is that the CS has grown (again) to an overall FTE size of 516,950 – 3,750 more than this time last year (0.73%) and 480 (0.1%) more than last quarter (Q1 2025).