Reform UK has outlined plans for a sweeping overhaul of Britain’s civil service, proposing that a future government led by the party would replace the most senior officials in each department with individuals more closely aligned with its policy agenda.

The proposal centres on the role of permanent secretaries, the top civil servants who oversee government departments and traditionally serve in politically neutral roles regardless of which party holds power.

Reform UK figures argue that the current leadership structure in Whitehall does not always deliver the decisive implementation of elected governments’ priorities.

Senior party representatives say that if Reform UK formed a government, they would appoint new departmental leaders who share a commitment to the administration’s policy programme.

The party believes that ensuring senior officials support the government’s objectives would accelerate decision-making and improve the delivery of reforms.

The idea forms part of a broader plan by the party to reshape the British state.

Reform UK has also proposed significant reductions in the size of the civil service, including cutting tens of thousands of positions across departments.

Party strategists argue that the changes would reduce bureaucracy, streamline government operations and allow ministers to act more quickly on policy commitments.

Advocates of the plan say modern governments require a civil service that is more responsive to elected leaders and focused on implementing political mandates delivered through elections.

Some figures within the party have suggested drawing on outside expertise from business, academia and other sectors to help lead departments and drive policy implementation.

The proposals represent a departure from the long-standing British tradition of an impartial civil service designed to provide independent advice to ministers.

Under the current system, senior officials remain in post when governments change and are expected to serve administrations of different political colours.

Trade unions representing civil servants and several governance experts have warned that replacing senior officials with individuals selected primarily for their ideological alignment could weaken institutional experience and reduce the independence of government advice.

They argue that the continuity and expertise of career civil servants are central to the functioning of Whitehall.

Supporters of the reform agenda counter that democratic accountability requires the machinery of government to reflect the priorities of elected leaders.

In their view, aligning senior officials with a government’s programme would help ensure that policy decisions made by voters are implemented more effectively.

The debate highlights broader questions about how modern governments balance political leadership with administrative independence.

As Reform UK positions itself as a potential governing party, its proposals for transforming Whitehall are likely to intensify discussion about the future role and structure of the British civil service.