Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference the 67,705 total headcount figure for permanent civil servants excluding agency workers working for HMRC as of 31 March 2023, as detailed in Cabinet Office statistics entitled Permanent and temporary civil servants by sex, age band and department: 2023, published on 31 October 2023, what that figure was on 31 March (a) 2011, (b) 2016 and (c) 2020.

On 2 October 2023, The Chancellor announced an immediate cap on civil servant headcount across Whitehall to stop any further expansion, increase efficiencies and boost productivity.

The Civil Service grew in size to manage the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the illegal war in the Ukraine but it is right that we reduce the size of the Civil Service over time as we drive up productivity and deliver efficiencies

In answer to your question please refer to the information within the following links: - ·

• Office for National Statistics Public Sector employment UK:March 2020 March 2020 table 8 ·
• Office for National Statistics Public Sector employment UK March 2016 March 2016 table 8
• Office for National Statistics Statistical Bulletin Public Sector Employment Quarter 1 2011 March 2011 table 8