Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 21 January (HL527), what plans they have to increase the number of those with science and engineering graduate-equivalent qualifications who enter the Civil Service Fast Stream.

The Fast Stream responds to the needs of government departments and professions who request the number of Fast Stream entrants they require. These are called ‘bids’. Our marketing attraction campaign targets specific audiences to meet those needs.

The Fast Stream marketing campaign targets science and engineering graduate applications through paid media channels; advertising on job sites such as STEM graduates, Stats Jobs, Economist jobs and with the New Scientist; ensuring a Civil Service presence at the ‘Ultimate STEM Graduate Recruitment Fair’; and posting blogs and content targeting science and engineering graduates on our social media channels.

Furthermore the campus outreach programme involves Year 2 Fast Streamers sharing their Civil Service experiences on campuses including those with science and engineering faculties.

The attached Civil Service Fast Stream: Annual Report 2017-2018 shows appointments of candidates with a science and engineering degree background have increased from 13.5% in 2016 to 19.7% in 2018.