By Jun Kit Man, Digital Media Manager
In a world that is constantly evolving, the UK civil service is not being left behind. The face of the civil service is changing, becoming more diverse and inclusive, according to the latest statistics. This transformation is not just about numbers; it's about creating a workforce that truly reflects the society it serves.
The civil service has grown for the seventh consecutive year, with the number of full-time equivalent officials rising to 487,665 as of 31 March, up from 478,090 the previous year. This growth has been accompanied by an increase in diversity across various metrics.
Closing the Gender Gap
One of the most notable changes is the closing of the gender gap, particularly at senior levels. Women now make up 54.6% of the civil service, a slight increase from 2022. More importantly, there has been significant progress in closing the gender gap at senior levels. At the Senior Civil Service (SCS) level, 47.9% of roles are now held by women, compared to 47.2% a year ago. This progress is a testament to the ongoing efforts to ensure gender equality within the civil service.
Greater LGBO Representation
The civil service is also becoming more inclusive in terms of sexual orientation. Of those with a known sexual orientation, 6.4% of officials identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or other (LGBO), up from 6.1% in 2022. This increase has been observed across all grades, with the SCS level having the highest percentage of LGBO civil servants at 7.1%, up from 6.7% in 2022.
Ethnic Minority Representation on the Rise
The civil service is also becoming more ethnically diverse. The proportion of civil servants from ethnic minority backgrounds has risen to 15.4%, up from 15.0% in 2022. Ten years ago, it was 9.6%. This increase has been seen across all grades, with the most significant rise at the administrative assistant/administrative officer level.
While representation at senior levels remains lower, there has been a slight increase, with the representation rate at the SCS level now at 10.5%, up from 10.3% in 2022. This upward trend, albeit slow, is a step in the right direction toward a more diverse and representative civil service.
A Rise in Disability Declarations
One of the most significant changes is the increase in the number of civil servants with a declared disability. The proportion has reached a record high of 15.8%, up from 14.0% in 2022, and a significant leap from the 8.6% recorded a decade ago. This increase has been observed across all grades, with the most substantial rise at the Executive Officer level, now at 17.8%, up from 15.7% last year.
While representation at senior levels remains lower, there has been a notable increase from 8.8% to 10.0% within the Senior Civil Service (SCS). This trend is encouraging and indicative of a more inclusive civil service that values the contributions of all its members, regardless of their physical abilities.
A More Regionally Diverse Civil Service
The civil service is also becoming less London-centric, with the proportion of officials based in London dropping from 20.7% to 20.1%. This shift is part of a broader trend towards a more regionally diverse civil service, with increases in the proportion of officials based in other regions, particularly in the north west of England.
The changing face of the civil service is a testament to the ongoing efforts to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce. While there is still work to be done, these statistics are a positive sign of progress. As the civil service continues to evolve, it is becoming a beacon of diversity and change, setting an example for other sectors to follow.
