Showing 1-10 of 103 news articles
17 September 2026
The Civil Service Commission has today published an initial audit of the processes used across government departments to administer the government’s Business Appointment Rules (the Rules) for civil servants and special advisers below the most senior levels. This is the first audit of this nature, following a request by the Minister for the Cabinet Office...
2 September 2026
The Civil Service Commission will be holding a First Civil Service Commissioner candidate open session hosted by the current First Civil Service Commissioner, Baroness Gisela Stuart on the 10 September at 14:00-14:45 on Microsoft Teams. Please find the meeting link: First Civil Service Commissioner candidate open session | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams You’ll have the...
10 August 2026
The Civil Service Commission has started publishing its casework performance data. This publication is issued monthly and will provide information on the time taken to consider and process requests to appoint via exception, complaints (Recruitment Principles and Civil Service Code) and applications under the Business Appointment Rules for senior civil servants and special advisers. The...
17 July 2026
Baroness Gisela Stuart, First Civil Service Commissioner, has provided her third quarterly update to the Minister for the Cabinet Office on the Civil Service Commission’s application of the Business Appointment Rules. Read the first update here and the second update here.
17 July 2026
On Wednesday 1 July 2026, the Cabinet Office held its annual Civil Service Whistleblowing Conference, with an audience of over 100 attendees from across the Civil Service. The event focused on embedding best practices and fostering psychological safety in relation to speaking up. As part of the agenda, the Civil Service Commission team presented an...
9 July 2026
Five departments have been celebrated for their outstanding dedication to innovation and attracting strong fields for Civil Service roles, following the conclusion of the 2025/2026 Commissioners’ Mark of Excellence. The annual event, now in its fourth year, showcases the innovative initiatives that departments use to attract strong, diverse fields to the Civil Service. This year,...
1 July 2026
Patricia Gallan QPM, Baroness Ruth Hunt, Susan Lapworth and Thomas Goldsmith have been appointed as Civil Service Commissioners. Four new Civil Service Commissioners have been appointed to the Civil Service Commission, which regulates recruitment into the Civil Service. The Civil Service Commission is an independent statutory body, which oversees appointments to the Civil Service, ensuring...
22 June 2026
The First Civil Service Commissioner has written to the Permanent Secretary of the Home Office about a Fundamental Breach of the Civil Service Recruitment Principles as a result of the involvement of Special Advisers in a recruitment campaign. The First Civil Service Commissioner has also written to all Permanent Secretaries to remind them of the...
5 June 2026
The Commission has today launched a public consultation to gather views from stakeholders and the wider public on potential improvements to the current Business Appointment Rules process in relation to Civil Servants and Special Advisers.
8 May 2026
On 29 April the Civil Service Commission hosted an online event exploring the opportunities and benefits of movement between local and regional governments and the Civil Service. In line with the Commission’s 2025-27 strategy, we brought together voices from across the public sector to discuss how interchange can broaden expertise, break down silos, and ultimately...