The civil service's flagship graduate talent programme, the fast stream, is in urgent need of reform, according to a report by the Institute for Government (IfG). The thinktank found that many graduates are leaving the scheme early due to dissatisfaction with pay and progression, undermining its purpose at a time when the government aims to overhaul the civil service for greater productivity.
A survey of over 230 fast streamers revealed that about four in ten had left before completing the scheme for better jobs elsewhere in the civil service. Additionally, more than 60% of former and current participants expressed dissatisfaction with pay and benefits. The IfG recommends increasing fast streamer pay to at least match the median pay for civil servants at the same grade outside the scheme.
The report highlights that the fast stream lacks a clear purpose and direction, trying to do too much at once. Its role in developing future leaders has been diluted by pressures to meet short-term departmental needs, leading to tensions and reduced effectiveness. The IfG suggests a sharper focus on training future senior civil servants, taking on fewer entrants each year, and investing more in their development.
Robert Eagleton, a national officer for the FDA union, backed the recommendations, noting that while the fast stream attracts many applicants, retaining them is a challenge due to pay and promotion concerns. The Cabinet Office defended the programme, stating it was reformed in 2024 to align with civil service professions and improve leadership development, but acknowledged an ambition to enhance it further.
