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THE CIVIL SERVICE: A GROWING PROBLEM


Aug 09 2023

NOTE: The original version of this research paper stated that the top three
grade levels receive between £73,000 and £208,100. This has now been corrected.

 

Introduction

Between 2016 and 2023 the number of civil servants increased by 101,440, a jump
of 24.2 per cent and the largest increase in at least half a century. This paper
analyses that increase, concluding that the expansion has been top-heavy,
London-centric, and tilted away from operational delivery. It also highlights
the marked salary grade inflation that has taken place within the service,
further increasing the cost to taxpayers. While covid rather than Brexit was the
prime driver of headcount increases, further growth since March 2022 shows that
civil service numbers are not falling following the end of mass testing and
covid emergency measures.




READ THE RESEARCH PAPER




Key findings

 * Between March 2016 and March 2023 civil service employment increased from
   418,340 to 519,780, a jump of 101,440 or 24.2 per cent – the sharpest
   increase in at least 50 years. This is greater than the entire regular forces
   of the British Army, which were only 83,209 in October 2022.[1]
   
   
 * The expansion has been top-heavy, with 87 per cent of the increase being
   accounted for by growth in the top three grade levels. There was an actual
   decrease in the lowest – and previously most numerous – grade level.
   
   
 * The largest increase has been in London with an additional 25,505 posts, a
   growth of 33 per cent.
   
   
 * The overall staffing structure has been tilted away from operational delivery
   and towards policy and support functions. Operational delivery – frontline
   services– fell from 56 per cent of total staff to 52 per cent.
   
   
 * Grade inflation and pay awards nearly tripled the number of civil servants
   being paid over £75,000 a year, from 4,470 to 12,045. In addition, 2,050 were
   paid more than £100,000 and 195 more than £150,000.
   
   
 * The median average civil service salary increased by 26 per cent over the
   period.
   
   
 * The annual salary bill for full-time staff has increased by 59.8 per cent
   from March 2016 to March 2023, rising from £9.7 billion to £15.5 billion.[2]
   
   
 * It is estimated that the combined effect of higher staff numbers, grade
   inflation, and pay awards increased the total annual civil service salary
   bill to £17.8 billion between March 2016 to March 2023, a rise of 54.8 per
   cent. This is almost double the growth rate of nominal GDP over the same
   period.



READ THE RESEARCH PAPER



 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[1] Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics 2022,
www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2022
(accessed 7th June 2023).

[2] Some figures may not sum due to rounding.



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