PM pledges sweeping shake-up of civil service

Tony Blair today signalled a sweeping overhaul of the civil service to bring in more professionals from industry and force bureaucrats to deliver better results.

In a speech to mark the 150th anniversary of the creation of the modern civil service, the Prime Minister made clear he believed Whitehall has failed to modernise. He warned that "the world has changed and the civil service must change with it".

Downing Street aides said Mr Blair wanted senior Whitehall officials to spend less time formulating policy advice.

A spokesman said Mr Blair wanted civil servants to drive through change rather than act "as a shock absorber".

Under the new style of management, No 10 and senior officials would set out strategies for the civil service to implement, with success measured by delivery.

But the Prime Minister also praised officials for their dedication to "integrity, impartiality and merit". Mr Blair's speech followed proposals to cut 80,000 Whitehall posts.