New Civil Service Code fuses dynamism with traditional values
Civil Service Head Sir Gus O'Donnell today published the new Civil Service Code [External website].
In a speech to today's major public service reform conference at the QE2 centre in London, Gus outlined how the Code sets out the fundamental account of what is expected of all civil servants in the 21st Century.
As well as reaffirming historic values, the new Code makes clear that the Civil Service must be outward–facing and meet the needs of the public who fund and use its services.
He said:
‘Our traditional values of integrity, objectivity, impartiality and honesty are our bedrock. They are just as important today as when they were first developed and are essential to everything we do, whether it's policy, delivery or corporate services. They need to be expressed clearly in a way which is relevant to all our staff.
‘We need to ensure we live up to these values. And I want all civil servants to reflect some additional qualities in everything we do. These bring the dynamism needed to deliver 21st century public services. So as well as these traditional values, we need pace, pride, passion and professionalism.’
The new code is the result of work between the Government and the Civil Service Commissioners, and a detailed consultation that elicited over 2,000 responses from civil servants across a broad range of grades, departments, disciplines and regions.
Revisions to the Code include:
- For the first time the Code provides for the Independent Civil Service Commissioners to consider a complaint direct from a civil servant.
- The Code forms part of the terms and conditions for civil servants. For the first time, the Code makes clear that it forms part of the contractual relationship between a civil servant and their employer.
Notes to editors
- The new Civil Service Code is available from www.civilservice.gov.uk [External website]
- The Civil Service Code was first published ten years ago.
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