Event
25 October, 2023
9:30 am - 11:00 am

In conversation with Rt Hon Lord Francis Maude

In the age of polycrisis, the business of government has become more complex than ever. Yet, even as policy problems have become more intractable, the machinery of the state has not kept pace. Efforts to build a well-equipped, resilient government machine are, far too often, ignored by politicians and civil servants focusing on the day-to-day – leading to the long-term capabilities needed at the centre falling into disrepair.

There have, however, been successive Whitehall change programmes in recent years, from the 'Civil Service Reform Plan' to the more recent 'Declaration on Government Reform'. With civil service transformation seemingly back up the agenda, understanding the next steps for delivering reform is an urgent priority.

Reform is delighted to host an in conversation with Lord Francis Maude, Chair of the Governance and Accountability Review into the civil service, to set out what the government should do next to reform Whitehall and what the future relationship between ministers and officials should look like.