With the UK’s most senior civil servant stepping down and a radical shake up of the Civil Service planned by the government, I would like to take a look at what more could be done to enhance democracy across every region of the UK.
Civil servants are located around the country, but as expected, the civil service is London-centric. 20% of the civil service workforce is based in London (the most of any region), with 67% of the most senior positions in the country located in the capital. However, other regions in the UK could benefit from a more even spread of government departmental investment to help rebalance the economy and for a greater democratic engagement in those areas.
It is clear that some areas of the country have felt left behind by political elites. There is often talk of ‘levelling-up’ the economy. In other words investing in regions other than London and the South East to see a more diverse mix of jobs, wealth and vibrancy.