Civil servants to get timetable for improvement

The worst-performing civil servants will be given a timeframe for improvement under Whitehall reforms announced yesterday.

As part of a wide-ranging civil service shake-up, a tougher appraisal system is to be introduced to identify the top-performing 25 per cent and the bottom 10 per cent of staff.

The best will receive better recognition while under-performers will be given a period in which they must show improvement, Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude said.

They may also be encouraged to apply for redundancy when jobs have to be cut.

The Civil Service Reform Plan is designed to equip Whitehall for the challenges faced by a scaled-down workforce.