Recommendation 4

Departmental data is not good enough to support functions’ development of comprehensive workforce plans. The Cabinet Office acknowledges it does not have the data it needs across all functions to accurately assess what skills the civil service has and where these should be deployed to maximise impact. Departments each have their own systems for collecting data on their staff, and as a result departmental workforce data quality and content vary. Some functions have undertaken their own data collection exercises with departments to get around the problem of workforce data quality. Dealing with dynamic challenges such as EU Exit and covid-19 has forced the Cabinet Office to improve its workforce planning and improve the quality of data available to functions. This exercise would see even greater improvement if the Cabinet Office had access to more granular workforce data. Recommendation: The Cabinet Office should set out how it will work with departments to make sure workforce data is collected at the right level, to better address skills gaps and shortages.