Reimagining Whitehall: building a machine equipped to deliver

Whitehall has many great strengths, from the adaptability of its civil servants, to its world-class policy professionals. But these strengths are matched by significant challenges: from a shortage of delivery and technical skills, to insufficient diversity and an over-reliance on process. To ensure an incoming government can translate political priorities into on-the-ground impact, Whitehall must be reformed. This means building a delivery-focused government machine that can take on strategic challenges through innovative working.  

The Labour Party has already set out an ambitious programme for government, with a commitment to reform public services, cut down backlogs, and tackle inequalities. Just as in 1997, New Labour reformed the Whitehall model to enable delivery, developing the right kinds of structures, capabilities, and functions in Whitehall will once again be essential to turning Labour’s policy vision into a reality.   

Reform is delighted to host this roundtable, led by Nick Thomas-Symonds, Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, and Darra Singh OBE, Strategy Partner, Newton on Labour’s vision for building a Whitehall machine equipped to deliver. 

This event is kindly supported by Newton and will be held under the Chatham House rule.