Sir Bob Kerslake, who was this week appointed as the next head of the civil service, has outlined his priorities for the future of the service.

Speaking to Civil Service World on the day of his appointment, he first listed the immediate challenges such as those of frozen pay and declining pensions: “A big part of what we have to do is paint that positive future for the civil service.”

Kerslake then picked out three key areas for reform. “It’s important that the policy core is more unified, more flexible in the way it works, and more able to bring together policy and implementation,” he said. Secondly, the civil service’s delivery functions must be “run well, efficiently and strongly, and in a way that responds to users’ needs.” And thirdly, he mentioned reform of support services. The form these back office services take, he said, is less important than the fact “that they work efficiently and well for all departments.”

Sir Bob also described how his role will fit with those of Jeremy Heywood, who is to become cabinet secretary in January, and Ian Watmore, who will become permanent secretary at the Cabinet Office.

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Last updated 191 days ago by Civil Service World