The machinery, structure and output of the British state need reform

competence goes a long way in British politics. Last week the budget provided a welcome contrast to its chaotic predecessor. This week Boris Johnson’s blustering testimony to Parliament’s privileges committee reminded Britons just what they have not been missing. Ministers who know what they are doing and care about detail can make a big difference. But that should not obscure a set of underlying problems with how the British state functions. Those problems are at the core of a series of articles that intends to publish this year. The first problem concerns the machinery of government. Some of this is literally machinery: nearly half of all technology spending across government before the pandemic was dedicated to keeping outdated legacy systems running. But it is also wonk-speak for the , the half-a-million-strong engine of Britain’s government. From policy mavens to prison officers, civil servants advise ministers and turn government plans into action. The service has a proud reputation and lots of able people. Unfortunately, it also has a long list of weaknesses.