Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what her policy is on restricting applicants to Civil Service paid jobs on the basis of social class.

Civil Service recruitment is fair, open, and based on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Recruitment Principles. The Recruitment Principles also allow for targeted entry schemes to improve access for underrepresented groups.

We are committed to attracting, developing, and retaining talented people from diverse backgrounds to create a modern Civil Service delivering high-quality public services.

To support individuals whose circumstances make competing harder, we offer tailored opportunities, including paid internships, apprenticeships, extensive outreach, and the Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) Programme. These initiatives help people gain valuable paid work experience and address barriers to employment.