What is the civil service?
The civil service is the body of permanent, politically neutral officials who run government departments and carry out the policies of ministers. Civil servants advise ministers, draft legislation, run services and collect taxes. In March 2026 the UK civil service employed about 524,000 full-time equivalent staff.
The modern civil service grew from the Northcote-Trevelyan report of 1854, which called for recruitment on merit rather than patronage. Its core values are integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. Civil servants serve the government of the day but must not act for any party. They stay in post when governments change. Senior officials can be moved between departments, and appointments are largely made on merit.
The civil service is led by the Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service, based in the Cabinet Office. Each department has a permanent secretary as its most senior official. Most civil servants work outside London, in roles such as job centres, HMRC, prisons and the Passport Office. In March 2026 there were 524,000 full-time equivalent staff, the highest since 2005.
Teachers, NHS staff, police officers and the armed forces are public servants but are not civil servants. Governments often promise to shrink the civil service and cut costs, but numbers have risen in recent years. Debates continue about its size, efficiency and use of consultants, and about tensions between ministers and officials. Some ministers want more political advisers, while others defend a strong, independent civil service.
- Runs Cabinet meetings and committees
- Coordinates national security and crisis response
- Manages the civil service
- Oversees government buying and projects
- Sets elections and constitutional policy
Budget: About £1bn to £2bn a year. Staff: About 8,000
What it runs or funds
Government Property Agency, Crown Commercial Service, Civil Service Commission, Government Commercial Function, Civil Contingencies Secretariat
Did you know? COBR, the emergency committee, is named after Cabinet Office Briefing Room A.
The left tends to defend the civil service as essential to delivering public services and warns cuts cause delays.
The right often argues the civil service is too large and slow, and wants deep cuts and stronger ministerial control.
Britain is split. Now you decide.
In WeDecide you can set department budgets and see how cuts or extra staff affect the services voters notice.
Play WeDecide freeCommon questions
How many civil servants are there in the UK?
About 524,000 full-time equivalent staff in March 2026.
Are teachers and nurses civil servants?
No. They are public sector workers, but not part of the civil service.
Who is in charge of the civil service?
The Cabinet Secretary, who is Head of the Civil Service.
What is the Cabinet Office's main role?
Supporting the PM and Cabinet and keeping government joined up. The Cabinet Office supports the PM and Cabinet and runs the civil service.
Which minister leads the Cabinet Office?
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The Cabinet Office is led by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.