Impartiality is a defining feature of the UK’s civil service – and one if its ‘core values’ – but the future of civil service impartiality is in the spotlight.

Brexit, and the strained relationship between ministers and civil servants that characterised the Johnson and Truss governments, have seen ministers accuse officials of obstructing their agendas, with Dominic Raab attacking “increasingly activist” civil servants when he resigned from government.

The ability of an impartial civil service to serve governments of any political persuasion has been widely acknowledged as one of its strengths for generations, but recent tensions have led to calls for more political appointees in government.

So what can the UK learn from other countries? How do different governments approach the question of civil service impartiality? What are the benefits – and risks – of political appointments? And what is the right balance between impartial officials and political appointees?

To explore these questions, and identify any lessons for the UK, the IfG brought together a panel of experts from around the world, including:

Dr Catherine Haddon, Programme Director at the Institute for Government
Professor Donald Moynihan, McCourt Chair at the McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University, Washington D.C
Peter Woolcott AO, former Australian Public Service Commissioner

This event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

Civil service impartiality: what can the UK learn from abroad?

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Labour Party Conference 2025 fringe programme.

Speakers: 

Tim Leunig, Chief Econonist at Nesta
Dave Penman, General Secretary at the FDA
Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government
Paul Whiteman, General Secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers

This event was chaired by Ben Paxton, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government.

This event was held in partnership with the FDA. 

Should public sector pay and pensions be reformed?

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Labour Party Conference 2025 fringe programme.

Speakers: 

Jake Richards MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Ministry of Justice
Deputy Mayor Kate Green, Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities, Greater Manchester
Clare Moody, Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon & Somerset
Cassia Rowland, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government
Fiona Rutherford, Chief Executive of JUSTICE

This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

This event was held in partnership with JUSTICE. 

How can the government rebuild the criminal justice system?

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Conservative Party Conference 2025 fringe programme.

Speakers:

David Simmonds MP, Shadow Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Dr Tom Arnold, Research Associate at the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place
Cllr Abi Brown OBE, Deputy Leader of the Local Government Association Conservative Group
Helen Gbormittah, Regional Director, North West at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

This event was held in partnership with the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place at the University of Liverpool.

How should devolution across the North of England be successfully implemented and enhanced?

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Conservative Party Conference 2025 fringe programme.

Speakers:

Richard Fuller MP, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Thomas Pope, Deputy Chief Economist at the Institute for Government
Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair at Bright Blue
Trinh Tu, Managing Director, Public Affairs at Ipsos UK

This event was chaired by Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government.



What is the Conservative route to fiscal sustainability?

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Conservative Party Conference 2025 fringe programme.

Speakers:

Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP, Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
Caroline Elsom, Head of Reshaping The State at Onward
Eve Norridge, Head of Research at Onward
Dr Hannah White, Director of the Institute for Government
This event will be chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

This event was held in partnership with Onward.
 

How should governments rewire the state to get things done?

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Conservative Party Conference 2025 fringe programme.

Speakers:

Baroness Barran MBE, Shadow Minister for Education
Dr Kieran Mullan MP, Shadow Minister for Justice
Cllr Abi Brown OBE, Deputy Leader of the Local Government Association Conservative Group

This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.


How should the Conservative Party rethink its vision for public services?

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Conservative Party Conference 2025 fringe programme.

Speakers:

Mayor Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester
Cllr Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, Economic Growth and Prosperity at Essex County Council

This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.


How can mayors improve skills and productivity to drive regional growth?

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Conservative Party Conference 2025 fringe programme.

Speakers:

Rt Hon Lord Willetts, Chair of the Regulatory Innovation Office and former Minister for Universities and Science
Helen Bower-Easton CBE, Director of Communications at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Professor Nigel Brandon OBE, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Professor of Sustainable Development in Energy at Imperial College London
Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government
Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government

This event was chaired by Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government.

This event was held in partnership with Imperial College London.

Industrial strategy, tariffs and global trade: Is the government's strategy working?

Local government reorganisation and public service delivery

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Civil service impartiality: what can the UK learn from abroad?

Institute for Government

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