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Civil ServiceLatest NewsEconomics, government & businessPublic sectorJob creation and losses

10,000-plus civil service jobs to go in cost-cutting drive

by Kavitha Sivasubramaniam 12 Dec 2024
by Kavitha Sivasubramaniam 12 Dec 2024 Shutterstock / Livvy2020
Shutterstock / Livvy2020

At least 10,000 civil service jobs could be axed under government plans to cut costs by 5% across all departments.

Figures show the number of full-time civil service workers has surged in recent years, rising to 513,000 in central government compared with a low of around 380,000 in 2016.

However, ministers have now recognised that that the increase isn’t sustainable as they are forced to make tough financial decisions under current spending plans.

Earlier this week, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a crackdown on “waste” and asked departments to curb 5% of their costs for “efficiency savings” as she launched a spending review.

She said this would ensure funding is prioritised for public services.

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To cut costs, the government is already considering voluntary redundancy schemes and said it was committed to making the civil service “more efficient and effective, with bold measures to improve skills and harness new technologies”.

A spokesperson said: “Under our Plan for Change, we are making sure every part of government is delivering on working people’s priorities – delivering growth, putting more money in people’s pockets, getting the NHS back on its feet, rebuilding Britain and securing our borders in a decade of national renewal.”

The Treasury has set out departmental budgets for the coming year and it is for each government department to plan how it will meet its own funding allocation, the spokesperson added.

Mike Clancy, general secretary of trade union Prospect, said: “The Prime Minister has been clear that this government intends to value the contribution of dedicated public servants, and we welcome that commitment.

“We need a clear plan for the future of the civil service that goes beyond the blunt headcount targets that have failed in the past. This plan needs to be developed in partnership with civil servants and their unions, and we look forward to deeper engagement with the government in the coming months.”

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Kavitha Sivasubramaniam

Kavitha Sivasubramaniam is an experienced journalist, editor and communications professional who has been working in B2B publishing for more than 17 years. After graduating from Bournemouth University with a degree in Multi Media Journalism, Kavitha started her career in local and regional newspapers, before moving to consumer magazines and later trade titles, as well as PR. Specialising in pay and reward, she has been editor of a number of HR publications including Pay & Benefits, Employee Benefits, Benefits Expert, Reward and CIPP’s membership magazine, Professional. In June 2024, she won Pay, Reward and Employee Benefits Journalist of the Year at the Willis Towers Watson media awards. She was also named one of Each Person’s top 20 influential HR bloggers and managed a highly commended content team of the year in 2019.

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