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Civil Servants: Equality

Asked by Jim ShannonDemocratic Unionist PartyCabinet OfficeTabled Answered 1 July 2026UIN 12669

The question

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment he has made of the level of gender and ethnic diversity of senior civil service roles.

Answered by Satvir Kaur

Assessments of the representation of women and ethnic minorities in Senior Civil Service roles are made on a regular basis, and at least annually.

The representation of women in the Senior Civil Service has increased year on year since it was created in 1996. As at 1 April 2025 49.9% of Senior Civil Servants are women, up from 49.6% in the previous year, and 16.7% in 1996.

The representation of people from an ethnic minority background in the Senior Civil Service has increased year on year since 2013. As at 1 April 2025 9.1% of Senior Civil Servants are from an ethnic minority background, up from 8.9% in the previous year, and 3.9% in 2013.

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