1. The Civil Service in Great Britain

2. Civil service The body of government officials who are employed in civil occupations that are neither political nor judicial. In most countries the term refers to employees selected and promoted on the basis of a merit and seniority system, which may include examinations.

3. Two meanings The term civil service has two distinct meanings: – A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations – The body of employees in any government agency other than the military

4. Civil servant A civil servant or public servant is a civilian public sector employee working for a government department or agency

5. Civil servants in Great Britain Civil servants – servants of the Crown who are permanent (they do not change with a political change of government) The Civil Service helps the Government of the day to develop and deliver its policies as effectively as possible.

6. Organisation The Civil Service incorporates three types of organisations – departments, agencies, and non-departmental government bodies (NDPBs). They work in a wide range of areas that touch on everyone’s day-to-day lives, such as education, health and policing.

7. Concerns Civil Service is concerned with the conduct of government activities as they affect the community From formulating policy to carrying out day- to-day duties of public administration

8. Duties The duty of a civil servant is first and foremost to the Minister in charge of the Department concerned The Ministers answer to Parliament Duties do not involve political work Civil servants are politically impartial

9. Staffing Recruitment and examination is carried out by the Civil Service Commission About half of all civil servants provide public services (paying benefits and pensions, collecting taxes and contributions, running employment services…) A quarter of them is employed in the Ministry of Defence The rest in other services (central administration, support services)

10. Recruitment and promotion Recruitment is based on the principle of selection on merit by fair and open competition Individual government departments and agencies are responsible for providing staff training Departments are responsible for promotion, but promotion to the most senior positions is approved by the Prime Minister

11. Equal opportunities The Government is committed to acheiving equal opportunities – policies to develop career opportunities for women, ethnic minorities and the disabled

12. Executive Agencies Separate units or agencies that perform the executive functions of government A part of the Civil Service, but with more independence Headed by chief executives who are accountable to ministers

13. The Diplomatic Service The Diplomatic Service has its own grade structure Staff in Foreign&Commonwealth Office and at British diplomatic missions overseas Special demands of the service (the duty to serve abroad)

14. Political and private activities Civil servants must perform loyally the duties assigned to them by the Government regardless of their political or other beliefs There are no restrictions on the private activities of civil servants if there is no conflict with official duties

15. Security Each department is responsible for their own internal security Civil servants cannot be associated with activities that threaten national security

16. Whitehall Whitehall is the central London street on which many ministries sit. Whitehall is therefore often used as a by-name to refer to the executive branch of Government, and particularly the civil service

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