PM appoints a ‘safe pair of hands' to run civil service

Sir Keir Starmer has appointed a candidate described as a “safe pair of hands” to run the civil service as he prepares to reset his government this week following a turbulent first five months in power.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL & DAVID MADDOX

The prime minister has chosen Sir Chris Wormald, the current permanent secretary to the Department of Health, to be his cabinet secretary, Britain’s most senior civil service position.

It comes as the PM prepares to give a major speech tomorrow in which he will launch a “plan for change”. Sir Keir is hoping to get his beleaguered administration back on course after a series of missteps and miscommunications have left him facing a barrage of criticism.

Sir Chris was the fourth favourite on a shortlist of four to get the job as Britain’s top mandarin, having been passed over for the role by Boris Johnson in 2020. He has been described as a safe pair of hands, a steady-as-you-go candidate, and “the consummate Sir Humphrey”.

While the prime minister has said he wants to bring change and rewire the government, it has been noted that his choice to run the Whitehall machine is the least radical of the candidates, with Sir Chris pipping more dynamic characters like Olly Robbins and Antonia Romeo at the post.

The appointment comes just two weeks before the departure of Simon Case, who is stepping down due to ill health.