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Cabinet Office: Senior Civil Servants

Asked by Mike WoodConservativeCabinet OfficeTabled Answered 16 June 2026UIN 7435

The question

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether a Cabinet Secretary can be appointed using a reserve list, without fresh and open competition, but disregarding the merit order of the previous appointment process.

Answered by Satvir Kaur

The Cabinet Manual sets out that the Cabinet Secretary is appointed directly by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister receives advice from the First Civil Service Commissioner, but is the final decision maker.

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