Tories demand investigation into Civil Service appointments under Labour government
The Conservatives are demanding an investigation into Labour’s appointment of several senior civil servants since the election, which the Opposition claims may have broken hiring rules.
The government says the claims from the Opposition are “untrue”.
The appointments include Emily Middleton, formerly of Labour-aligned group Labour Together; and Ian Corfield, who donated to the party, being given senior roles in the service.
The Tories are claiming these hirings could be down to ministers trying to “circumvent” Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff Sue Gray, who has reportedly blocked the appointment of advisers to political roles.
Alex Thomas, the programme director of the Institute for Government thinktank and a former director in the Civil Service, says the new government’s steps aren’t completely out of the ordinary.
He says it is possible to use an “exception” process when a minister wants to bring someone in to their department when they believe it necessary.
Mr Thomas points to the frustration ministers can suffer when they don’t have hiring power but “are the ones who are held accountable to parliament and the public for running the government”.
He does suggest the current roles should have been hired through rapid recruitment processes, rather than by appointment.
Conservative MP John Glen, who is the shadow paymaster general, has written to the Civil Service Commission calling for an investigation.
Shadow paymaster general John Glenn has written to complain. Pic: PA
The commission is headed up by Baroness Gisela Stuart, the former Labour MP, and ensures the Civil Service is impartial.
In his letter, Mr Glen highlights the 1854 Northcote-Trevelyan report – which he brands “the foundation of the modern Civil Service” – saying it warns against appointing people by “personal and political considerations”.
He adds that his letter is a “formal complaint” under section 13 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 that was passed by Gordon Brown.
Mr Glen wrote that he wants a “thorough investigation” to make sure the hiring was done in line with the Civil Service code.
He added: “I fear that these are not isolated cases, and risks a wider pattern of the politicisation of the Civil Service staffing and communications under this administration.”
Read more:
Who’s who in Starmer’s inner circle
Sue Gray broke Civil Service code by discussing job with Labour
A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “These claims are untrue.
“There are clear rules governing recruitment and appointment of Civil Service roles which are regulated by the Civil Service Commission.
“We do not comment on individual staffing matters.”
Mr Glen raises four specific cases in his letter.
This includes Ms Middleton being made a director general in the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, as well as Mr Corfield being appointed a director in the Treasury.
He also notes that a former adviser to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Oliver Newton, has been made head of business engagement at the Treasury
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
👉 Click here to follow Electoral Dysfunction wherever you get your podcasts 👈
And then he says Haydon Etherington has been made a senior policy adviser in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government after having worked for Labour as an adviser.
Mr Glen says he understands there have been “further such appointments in government of such Labour figures”.
Ethereum’s 10th anniversary celebration was marked by an uptick in institutional demand for Ether as an alternative treasury reserve asset, prompting Wall Street to look past Bitcoin.
Stablecoin-linked stocks in Hong Kong plunged by double digits amid the city’s new regulatory transition, but experts say it’s a healthy correction.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has dodged calls from her predecessor Anneliese Dodds for a wealth tax to be considered ahead of this autumn’s budget.
When Sir Keir Starmer became Labour leader in 2020, Ms Dodds was his first pick for shadow chancellor. However, she did not last long and was replaced by Ms Reeves, who then got the government job after last year’s election win.
Speaking to the Sky News political editor Beth Rigby on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Ms Dodds said she had examined wealth taxes when she was briefly in the shadow chancellor job and how one could be implemented.
She said: “I would hope the Treasury is considering that kind of evidence, as well as other changes that have been put forward.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
‘Rachel Reeves would hate what you just said’
Asked today if about Ms Dodds’ intervention, Ms Reeves said: “Decisions around tax are decisions that are made at a budget and we’ll make those decisions in the appropriate way, but the number-one priority of this government is to grow the economy.
“And that means bringing more investment into Britain, creating more good jobs paying decent wages here in Britain.
Listen here to hear Ms Dodds’ full comments:
👉 Click here to listen to Electoral Dysfunction on your podcast app 👈
“We’ve got to get the balance right on taxation because we want that investment, we want those jobs to come here.
“That’s why we’re reforming the planning system, secured three trade deals in the first year of this Labour government, cutting back on unnecessary regulation, and reforming our pension system to unlock money for businesses to be able to invest here in the UK.”
Read more:
2021: Dodds demoted, Reeves promoted
Dodds resigns from govt over aid cut
What is a wealth tax?
The government’s financial position is stretched ahead of the next budget, due at the end of autumn.
Ms Reeves has committed herself to not changing her fiscal rules, leaving little wiggle room to avoid tax rises or spending cuts.
This is due to the government’s inability to save money through policies like welfare reform, which were gutted due to a rebellion of backbench Labour MPs.
Last week, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds branded the suggestion of a wealth tax “daft” – but he has less influence over the writing of the budget than the chancellor.
Politics live: Tory MP calls for more deportations
Meanwhile, reports from the Daily Telegraph suggested that Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner backed increasing taxes, including reinstating the pensions lifetime allowance and a higher corporation tax level for banks.
Ms Dodds also wants to see those considered.
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Sports2 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike