Pat McFadden has committed to implementing significant changes within the civil service, including a push toward digitization and stricter performance targets for officials, modeled after practices in the private sector. As part of the plans to be announced this week, underperforming civil servants might be encouraged to leave their positions, and the salaries of senior officials will be directly linked to their performance. A new goal has been set to have one in ten civil servants working in digital or data roles within the next five years, increasing the civil service’s alignment with private sector standards. Currently, there are 25,000 digital and data civil servants, making up only 5% of the civil service workforce. McFadden stated that tasks should not be manually performed when there are digital alternatives or AI that can accomplish them more efficiently without compromising quality. The plans are part of a broader efficiency drive, which includes intentions to cut around 10,000 civil service roles, though McFadden has not publicly committed to a specific number. Civil servants not meeting performance standards will be given development plans before potential dismissal. Unions have expressed concerns over the proposals, criticizing the suggestions that civil servants might be content with subpar results. While Labour and Conservatives disagree on the approach to reforming Whitehall, with McFadden arguing the civil service has grown too large under the Conservatives, the Conservatives accuse Labour of weak reform plans.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/09/labour-promises-radical-shake-up-of-uk-civil-service