How can the civil service develop the right skills?

Improving the skills of civil servants is an important part of the government’s civil service reform plans. Previous attempts at reform have had mixed success and demonstrated how hard it is to get the right people in the right jobs. The Institute for Government’s report looks at the skills that the civil service needs now and in the next few years. It makes recommendations for solving some of the problems preventing effective reform, including the conflicting priorities of departments and the centre of government. Benoit Guerin, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government, presented key findings from the report. This was followed by a discussion between: Rupert McNeil, Government Chief People Officer Emily Miles, Chief Executive of the Food Standards Agency Max Tse, Executive Director at the National Audit Office. The event was chaired by Dr Hannah White, Deputy Director at the Institute for Government.