Civil Service chief tells officials to ‘relish opportunities’ of Starmer reforms
In an address to the civil service, new Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald said officials would have to change the way they work.
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Your support makes all the difference.The new head of the Civil Service has told officials they must “do things differently” as part of a “rewiring” of the way government works.
Sir Chris Wormald, the new Cabinet Secretary, said officials should work “much more effectively” across Whitehall departments and take advantage of new technology.
In a message to all civil servants on his first day in the job, Sir Chris praised the “incredible contribution” made by officials.
The Prime Minister has been clear that he wants a rewiring of the way the Government works to deliver his recently announced plan for change
His comments come after Sir Keir Starmer strained relations with the Civil Service by claiming that “too many people in Whitehall are comfortable in the tepid bath of managed decline” earlier this month.
The Prime Minister wants to reform and improve the operation of Whitehall, improving productivity and working beyond departmental silos to deliver his “missions” for government.
In his email to staff, Sir Chris said: “As Cabinet Secretary, it is my role to support the Prime Minister and government to deliver for the country.
“The Prime Minister has been clear that he wants a rewiring of the way the Government works to deliver his recently announced plan for change.
“This will require all of us to do things differently – from working much more effectively across departments to taking advantage of the major opportunities technology provides.
“Throughout my career, I have seen the Civil Service adapt and change to achieve incredible things for the people of the United Kingdom. I know that together we will relish the opportunities the coming years will bring.”
Before taking up the new role as head of the Civil Service, Sir Chris had been the senior official at the Department of Health and Social Care.
He said he was “deeply honoured” to be taking up the job of Cabinet Secretary.
He told colleagues: “Over the years I have seen the incredible contribution that we as civil servants make and it fills me with great pride to be leading the Civil Service.”
He said he was looking forward to meeting officials across the country to “hear your ideas to improve the way that Government works”.
Sir Chris took up the role on Monday after Simon Case stood down on health grounds following an eventful four years in the job which included the Covid-19 pandemic, partygate, rows around Boris Johnson’s conduct and steering the Civil Service through the death of the Queen and coronation of the King.
Mr Case had been a “remarkable public servant”, Sir Chris said.