Whitehall 'needs to stop talent leaving fast stream'

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.

- Rowena Mason

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.