VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Permanent Secretaries: Recruitment

Asked by Mr Richard HoldenConservativeCabinet OfficeTabled Answered 21 May 2026UIN 1225

The question

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Permanent Secretary and Second Permanent Secretary roles are (a) being advertised through open and fair competition, (b) have advertised but the recruitment is now closed and the appointment has not yet been made, (c) are being advertised only internally and (d) are unfilled with no recruitment process.

Answered by Satvir Kaur

There are currently five permanent secretary recruitment processes underway. One is open for applications through an external advert. Four are now closed but the appointment has not yet been made. Three were advertised externally and one was advertised internally across government.

There are currently no unfilled roles with no recruitment process.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim