A new civil service diversity debate is now unfolding. Baroness Sue Gray started this discussion. She famously served as Keir Starmer’s chief of staff. She also investigated the Partygate scandal. Furthermore, now she is a Labour peer. She recently challenged a new government policy. This policy limits a key internship scheme. It is only for working-class students.
Therefore, the government announced this change last month. The Whitehall internship will now have restrictions. It is only for lower socio-economic backgrounds. Officials will check the parents’ jobs. This will determine eligibility. However, the goal is to widen the talent pool. The government wants a more representative civil service. It should truly reflect the entire country.
However, Baroness Gray strongly questions this approach. She spoke in the House of Lords. She called the policy well-intentioned. But she asked for its evidence base. She shared her own personal story. She came from a very working-class background. Therefore, her father was a salesman. Her mother worked as a barmaid. She learned immensely from diverse colleagues. Therefore, she fears this new limit. It might reduce exposure to different people.
Furthermore, this civil service diversity debate reveals a clear political split. A Labour minister disagreed with Baroness Gray. Baroness Anderson supported the government’s plan. Moreover, she argued for a real meritocracy. It must be available to everyone. She said background should not be a barrier.
Conversely, a Tory peer criticized the policy. Baroness Finn said it discriminates oddly. A mechanic’s child could apply. But a roofer’s child might not. She questioned the fairness. Also, she doubted the process’s sensibility. This civil service diversity debate centers on method. Everyone agrees on the need for diversity. Yet they disagree on the right path.
Moreover, the internship leads to the Fast Stream. This is the main civil service graduate scheme. However, the government believes targeting specific backgrounds helps. Critics believe it may narrow the talent pool. The argument continues without a clear resolution.
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