A state rewired? Civil service size, shape, and turnover
From Institute for Government by Institute for Government
April 7, 2026 · 46 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the findings of Whitehall Monitor 2026 and the changes in the civil service workforce.
Our first webinar in a three-part series focused on the findings of Whitehall Monitor 2026. The first Whitehall Monitor webinar – kicking off a three-part series exploring the IfG’s annual flagship report on the civil service – looked at the context in which much needed strategic workforce planning should be taking place: how the size and shape of the civil service has changed in the past year, against a backdrop of multiple exit schemes and a complex recruitment landscape. The webinar featured: Heloise Dunlop, Researcher at the Institute for Government and co-author of Whitehall Monitor 2026 Daniel Howes, Research Assistant at the IfG and co-author of Whitehall Monitor 2026 Liz Tolcher, Associate Partner – Skills & Workforce Transformation Expert at PA Consulting The event was chaired by Hannah Keenan, Associate Director at the IfG and lead author of Whitehall Monitor 2026. Whitehall Monitor 2026, the IfG’s annual data-led assessment of the size, shape and performance of the civil service, examines how the workforce changed in 2025. We would like to thank PA Consulting for kindly supporting this event.
People in this episode
Host: Hannah Keenan
Guests: Heloise Dunlop, Daniel Howes, Liz Tolcher
Topics covered
- civil service
- workforce planning
- Whitehall Monitor
- strategic planning
- recruitment landscape
Keywords
- civil service
- workforce
- exit schemes
- recruitment
- Whitehall Monitor
Sponsors
PA Consulting
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Institute for Government
Books & works: Whitehall Monitor 2026
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