Dame Antonia Romeo, the UK's most senior civil servant, has said Whitehall is too "tame and risk-averse" and needs fundamental reform. In her first annual lecture as Cabinet Secretary, delivered at the London School of Economics, Romeo said the Civil Service was "reactive, not strategic" and "siloed, not working across boundaries" — criticisms she said she had heard and listened to, and was "determined to fix".

A leaner, more strategic state

Romeo, nine months into the job, said the Civil Service must be "reimagined arguably in the most fundamental way since its formation". She set out plans for a leaner and more strategic service, focused on challenges best dealt with at national level, with powers, resources and accountability shifted from central to regional and local government. A review due in the spring will examine departmental structures, artificial intelligence and devolution. She argued AI could cut bureaucracy and help officials focus on decisions and public services, with safeguards in place.

Pay, performance and productivity

Romeo said increased bonuses for high-performing senior officials were only a first step, and that she also wants to reduce staff turnover driven by pay incentives. She said the transformation programme aims to build "a modern world-class organisation, famous for excellence in delivery and the use of technology and AI, and trusted by Ministers and the people we serve". She noted that 80% of civil servants are based outside London. Romeo was appointed earlier this year as the first woman to hold the Cabinet Secretary post.