Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Civil Servants
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the MHCLG annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026, HC484, 15 July 2026, page 30, what the criteria are to join the Going Forward into Employment Civil Service Masterclasses programme; whether civil servants joining via the scheme must be from a working class socio-economic background; and what the formal definition is of a lower social mobility background.
Answered by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Civil Service Masterclasses is an MHCLG accredited scheme that falls under the Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) network. GFiE is a network of over 20 pathways across the Civil Service that civil servants can use to recruit people into the service who face barriers to employment.
The Civil Service Masterclass offers a 2-week face to face programme for individuals from areas of low social mobility, breaking down barriers and allowing individuals to learn in a practical setting. Since launch, Masterclasses have been delivered in Liverpool City region and Manchester.
The defining criteria overall are to recruit individuals who would typically face barriers when applying for Civil Service roles and focuses on enhancing social mobility for the Civil Service. The criteria are:
- Social Mobility
- Right to work in UK and Civil Service
- No previous Civil Service employment
- Civil Service Nationality Rules
- Age
- Criminal Records Check
Social Mobility refers to the difference between your life outcomes and those of your parents. During the sourcing stage, individuals are required to complete an Expression of Interest form. Within this form, they are asked 3 social mobility questions. These are:
- What was the occupation of your main household earner when you were aged about 14?
- Did either of your parents attend university by the time you were 18?
- Compared to people in general, would you describe yourself as coming from a lower socio-economic background?
The answers to the above 3 questions will then determine whether the individual will come from a lower social mobility background.
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