News

New Cabinet Secretary must work to restore trust, fix pay and reverse politicisation of civil servants

30 September 2024

The Head of the UK Civil Service and Cabinet Secretary, Simon Case, has resigned.

General view of Whitehall

In an email to staff Mr Case, who has been in post for four years, said he was stepping down for medical reasons –  a replacement will be appointed in due course.

Mike Clancy, General Secretary of Prospect, said:

“The last government saw the biggest breakdown in trust between the cabinet and the civil service that we have seen. Years of pay restraint at the same time as elevating pressure on civil servants has left areas of the civil service in crisis.

“This will be the inheritance of whoever replaces Simon Case as Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service.

“Foremost in the new appointee’s inbox must be working with the new government to restore trust, fix structural pay problems and reverse the increasing politicisation of civil servants. Our recommendation is that they also put evidence at the heart of all policy making, and properly value the skills needed to effect that.

“This is a job that needs doing and the right person can restore Whitehall as the public service envy of the world.”


Public Services

From protecting our rivers to keeping us safe, Prospect members do vital work across a range of professions.