Civil Service Commission will assess governance regime concerning the jobs taken on by top officials and advisers after they leave government, which these days are often in the technology sector

The Civil Service Commission has launched a review into the application of rules governing the post-government jobs that can be taken on by the most senior civil servants and special advisers.

The watchdog is responsible for overseeing and enforcing rules regarding the recruitment of new civil servants. Following the abolition in October of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, the commission now also oversees so-called revolving-doors rules intended to prevent advisers and officials from taking on private-sector posts in which there is inherent conflict of interest, or the ability to exert influence unfairly.

In recent years, many prominent government figures – encompassing both professional technologists, as well as policy specialists and senior managers – have moved into high-profile roles at technology firms.

As well as taking over the operation of the governance regime, the commission has also been asked to make recommendations to ministers on further strengthening the rules and to undertake audits of departmental processes in handling applications at lower grades.

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First civil service commissioner Baroness Gisela Stuart said the just-launched review of “will look at how the rules can better support a modern civil service, where movement in and out is possible and positive”.

“It is important that those joining the civil service understand the expectations when they leave – and that the system is fair and efficient for applicants, operates transparently and protects the integrity of government,” she added.

As part of the review, the commission will seek views via an open consultation as well as holding interviews and roundtables with experts, applicants and other stakeholders. Stuart said the review will also seek to benchmark against international systems.

The review will conclude in autumn following the completion of the commission’s first round of audits of applications handled by departments at lower grades. These audits, which are being rolled out to 20 ministerial departments, will take place alongside the commission’s regular assessments of recruitment practice within departments.

These will include a review of 2025-26 application data to identify and address any regional or departmental inconsistencies.