Whitehall Initiating Digital and Data Secondments to Attract Technological Specialists

Get the latest updates on UK politics and policy for free!

Subscribe to our myFT Daily Digest email, which provides a roundup of the latest UK politics and policy news every morning.

The Cabinet Office minister has unveiled a new scheme aimed at attracting top experts from FTSE 100 companies to work in Whitehall. Jeremy Quin hopes to tap into the private sector’s talent pool, particularly in the field of technology, where competition is fierce. The scheme will offer secondments that allow employers to invest in their teams by placing them in government roles. Quin, who has personal experience of being seconded to the Treasury, believes outside perspectives can greatly benefit the civil service.

Senior roles in artificial intelligence, data architecture, and digital engineering will be among those targeted by the government. The secondment scheme will be flexible in terms of duration, and there will be no limit on the number of placements. The initiative will also be extended to the science and engineering sectors. Additionally, the government aims to facilitate exchanges in the opposite direction, allowing officials to gain industry experience.

This move has been welcomed by experts, who argue that the civil service needs more specialist skills, particularly in the digital realm. However, the government will need to dispel the perception of slow project management in order to attract the best talent. To further enhance recruitment, Quin is advocating for the removal of barriers to entry for private sector professionals seeking permanent senior civil service roles. Efforts are also being made to reduce the time it takes to make appointments and simplify job adverts.

While competing with the private sector on pay is a challenge, Quin believes that civil service pensions are a significant benefit compared to many companies. Moreover, the government is willing to invest more to secure specific skill sets. The senior civil service pay increase recommended for 2023-24 has already been accepted by the government.

In addition to the secondment scheme, the government is launching a digital apprenticeship programme to recruit 500 digital, data, and tech professionals this year. Quin will be providing more updates on Whitehall reform, including the establishment of a permanent unit for exploring automation and innovation through artificial intelligence. Furthermore, a publicly accessible register of social policy evaluations will be created to aid officials in implementing effective interventions.

The government’s pilot programme on artificial intelligence will become a permanent unit dedicated to exploring automation and innovation in Whitehall. AI tools are already being utilized in various areas, such as military recruitment, education calculations, and programs supporting disabled individuals. Additionally, a publicly accessible register of social policy evaluations will be created to provide mandarins with valuable insights into past interventions. These reforms aim to enhance efficiency and decision-making within the civil service.