About

Purpose and remit

The Civil Service Commission was established to provide assurance that civil servants are selected on merit on the basis of fair and open competition; and to help safeguard an impartial Civil Service.

The Constitutional Reform and Governance Act established the Civil Service Commission on a statutory basis in 2010. The Commission’s powers and responsibilities are laid down in the Act.

The Commission works to enable a highly efficient and effective Civil Service, now and for the future. We strongly believe that the country is best served by a Civil Service which recruits and develops the best and most diverse talent, free of personal and political patronage, and remains true to its core values of Impartiality, Objectivity, Integrity and Honesty in the Civil Service Code.

Leadership and membership

The First Civil Service Commissioner, eleven independent Commissioners and the Chief Executive comprise the Board of the Civil Service Commission. They are supported by a secretariat of staff.

Governance

The Civil Service Commission is an executive Non-Departmental Public Body of the Cabinet Office. It is sponsored by the Cabinet Office through its senior sponsor, the Director of Propriety and Ethics.

The Commission is independent of Government and of the Civil Service.

Last updated: March 2026