Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will take steps to ensure improved working class representation in the civil service.

Diversity and Inclusion is one of the Civil Service's top priorities.

We have published a Talent Action Plan (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-refreshed-talent-action-plan)which sets out our ambitions to aide the recruitment and progression of under-represented groups, including those from less well off socio-economic backgrounds within the Civil Service. We also published ‘Priority Actions for Improving Social Mobility in the Civil Service:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/418138/Social_mobility_in_the_Civil_Service.pdf

In line with one of the commitments in ‘priority Actions’, there is an ongoing review into the most effective and appropriate definition for social mobility which we will align with in future years. This work is being led by The Bridge Group, a charitable policy association promoting social mobility, as part of research they are undertaking on social mobility in the Fast Stream. The Outcome of this review will inform further work to increase representation of people from less well off backgrounds at all levels within the civil service.