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Civil Servants

Asked by Mike WoodConservativeCabinet OfficeTabled Answered 7 September 2026UIN 20978

The question

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans she has to reduce the size of the Civil Service as part of the transfer of responsibilities to mayoral combined authorities.

Answered by Cabinet Office

Our plan to rewire the state devolves power and decision making to put local areas in control of their own public services and economic growth. As mayoral strategic authorities assume these devolved responsibilities, central Civil Service functions will adjust accordingly.

We will ensure the Future Civil Service retains the right capabilities to deliver national priorities, operating alongside regional partners without central duplication. This will mean a smaller and more strategic Civil Service, focused on the challenges that can best be dealt with at a national level. We believe this represents an opportunity for the Civil Service to adapt and learn through greater interchange with regional and local government, working together to deliver better outcomes for the citizens we serve. We will set out more details on our proposals to rewire the state soon.

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