In a recent development, sources from Downing Street and Whitehall have informed the Guardian that Keir Starmer’s team at No 10 is developing reservations about the choice of Chris Wormald as the new cabinet secretary. These concerns arise despite Wormald being appointed just six months ago to lead the civil service, following a selection from a quartet of candidates.
Wormald, who previously held the position of permanent secretary at the Department of Health and Social Care during the Covid pandemic, was chosen by Starmer in consultation with the head of the civil service and the first civil service commissioner. At the time of his appointment, Starmer praised Wormald’s experience and commitment to the changes the new government aims to implement.
However, it has been noted that certain individuals within Starmer’s circle now consider Wormald’s appointment as detrimental to the prospects of a radical overhaul of the civil service. Sources indicate that Wormald is viewed as ineffective in driving solutions and too deeply entrenched in the existing system, lacking the dynamism needed for significant reform.
The Spectator reported that Starmer selected Wormald over two other candidates, Antonia Romeo and Olly Robbins, who were also shortlisted and considered more favorably by the expert panel that initially reviewed the candidates. The appointment decision was defended by a government spokesperson, highlighting that it followed the standard process for permanent secretary appointments, with the prime minister making the final choice.
Wormald’s capability as cabinet secretary is under scrutiny, especially amid a challenging period for Starmer on the domestic policy front. The cabinet secretary plays a crucial role as the prime minister’s top policy adviser and is responsible for the civil service’s operations. Historically, prime ministers have experimented with different structures, such as dividing the role to create more central executive power, but these changes did not lead to lasting reforms.
The Times revealed in April that No 10 was contemplating revisions to the government machinery to increase central executive power, reduce bureaucratic demands, and promote a more diverse civil service. Wormald has pledged to “do things differently” and “rewire” the government’s inner mechanisms, but his approach may face increased scrutiny with the forthcoming Covid inquiry reports, which are expected to address core political and administrative issues from the pandemic. The initial report criticized the “lack of adequate leadership” in Britain’s pandemic response.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jul/05/no-10-regrets-cabinet-secretary-chris-wormald
