Try GOLD - Free
Whitehall 'needs to stop talent leaving fast stream'
The Guardian
|September 04, 2025
The civil service's fast stream needs urgent reform as many graduates are leaving before the end of the scheme amid dissatisfaction with pay and progression, according to a report.
The Institute for Government (IfG) thinktank found the lead graduate talent scheme lacks a clear purpose and direction at a time when the government is trying to overhaul the civil service to make it more productive.
In a survey of more than 230 fast streamers, the IfG found about four in 10 had left before the end of the scheme for better jobs elsewhere in the civil service.
It also found that more than 60% of former and current fast-streamer respondents were dissatisfied with pay and benefits on the scheme.
The IfG recommended making fast-streamer pay at least equal to the median pay for civil servants at the same grade level outside the scheme.
The report found the scheme requires an overhaul in terms of size, pay and location to help achieve Labour's goal of rewiring the state.
The fast stream is a highly competitive talent development programme, taking about 1,000 new entrants a year with a goal of identifying civil service leaders of the future.
This story is from the September 04, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Guardian
The Guardian
England hint at faith in Pope as they prepare to unveil XI
Marcus Trescothick believes No 3 spot is settled as visitors plan to increase the intensity before sole Ashes warm-up
3 mins
November 12, 2025
The Guardian
England's Big Dog bench turns traditional selection on its head
Selecting your best XV to start a big rugby match feels increasingly quaint these days, as redolent of a different era as the Generation Game or Starsky & Hutch.
3 mins
November 12, 2025
The Guardian
Unemployment hits highest rate since Covid pandemic
The UK unemployment rate has risen by more than expected to reach the highest level in four years, fuelling expectations of a Bank of England interest rate cut after Rachel Reeves's budget.
2 mins
November 12, 2025
The Guardian
Trescothick defends Ashes buildup after fresh criticism
Marcus Trescothick has defended England's Ashes preparations after Ian Botham joined a chorus of criticism from former players over the decision to schedule a single warm-up game, saying ex-professionals need to bear in mind that \"times have dramatically changed in the way that cricket is done\".
2 mins
November 12, 2025
The Guardian
No 10 on alert amid fears of challenge to leadership
Downing Street has launched an extraordinary operation to protect Keir Starmer amid fears among his closest allies that he could be vulnerable to a leadership challenge in the aftermath of the budget.
4 mins
November 12, 2025
The Guardian
'We are fearless - opportunities are tough to come by, so we take them'
Alex Scott may no longer be the 'Guernsey Grealish' but a deeper role at Bournemouth has led to a first senior call-up
4 mins
November 12, 2025
The Guardian
Music review An elegant, brutal howl sees off Brat summer
When Charli xcx says her first new material in more than a year is \"something entirely new, entirely opposite\" to the sound she pursued on the eradefining Brat, she isn't joking.
2 mins
November 12, 2025
The Guardian
MPs and BBC staff call for Gibb to leave board
MPs and BBC staff members have called for the board member Robbie Gibb to be removed from his post as the corporation's outgoing director general, Tim Davie, hit out at the \"weaponisation\" of criticisms of the broadcaster.
3 mins
November 12, 2025
The Guardian
The $1.4tn question OpenAI's huge bet tests limits of Silicon Valley's optimism
It is the $1.4tn question. How can a loss-making startup such as OpenAI afford such a staggering spending commitment?
2 mins
November 12, 2025
The Guardian
Sentencing plans 'devastating' for abuse victims, says commissioner
Violent partners will be allowed to \"return to harassing, stalking and abusing\" with impunity under a bill before parliament that is supposed to ease prison overcrowding, a watchdog has warned.
2 mins
November 12, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size