Labour Proposes Civil Service Overhaul with Tech-Inspired Approach

Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden outlines plans to integrate a 'test and learn' culture, drawing on private sector innovation to improve public service delivery.

Labour's Pat McFadden announced plans to reform the civil service by adopting a 'test and learn' approach inspired by tech startups like Spotify and Airbnb.
The proposed changes aim to address inefficiencies in public service delivery by creating small, multidisciplinary teams to experiment and iterate on solutions.
McFadden emphasized that the initiative seeks to empower civil servants rather than criticize them, describing them as 'good people caught in bad systems.'
Critics question the effectiveness of applying tech-sector methods to government operations, citing past challenges with projects like Universal Credit.
The reforms will initially be piloted in two smaller projects, focusing on family support and temporary accommodation, before potential broader implementation.