UK creates chief secretary to prime minister role to drive progress on government priorities
Sir Keir Starmer has created the new position of chief secretary to the prime minister in the UK government as part of plans for “relentless delivery” on its priorities.
The announcement of the new post comes as the UK’s parliament returns from its summer break, and the government said the new term marks “a ramping up of the next phase of this government’s domestic agenda”.
The new post of chief secretary to the prime minister – which will be held by Darren Jones, who transfers over from the post of chief secretary to the Treasury – will “work collaboratively across UK government to drive forward progress in key policy areas, reporting directly to the prime minister”.
The priorities are the government’s missions – to grow the economy, build an NHS fit for the future, improve safety on the streets, boost opportunity for all, and make Britain a clean energy superpower – as well as ensuring strong foundations of a stable economy, secure borders and national security.
Jones moves from the Treasury, where he was responsible for public spending, including leading negotiations in the Spending Review that was published in June.
Read more: UK Spending Review sets out how government will make reform of the state happen
In his Treasury role, Jones also set out plans to overhaul how the department uses data to measure performance as part of plans to improve efficiency.
In April, Jones said there was a need to improve the performance data available in government to meet prime minister Keir Starmer’s objective to deliver more effective services, after concluding that the current system for project management in government was so cumbersome that “quite frankly, it’s a wonder that anything gets done”. It was then announced last month that the Treasury will procure a system that will integrate finance and performance data to provide better information to government.
“I am convinced that through investment and reform, we can deliver a more productive and agile state that delivers better outcomes for people and reduces the cost of running public services,” Jones said.
“That’s why as part of my wider reforms to public spending, HM Treasury will be using technology to analyse finance and performance data in real time and free up departments to focus on delivery instead of Treasury compliance reporting.”
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Baroness Shafik takes on No.10 role
Starmer also announced that Baroness Minouche Shafik would join his team as chief economic advisor. Shafik’s role is intended to support the government to go further and faster in driving economic growth.
Shafik’s previous roles include permanent secretary of the UK’s Department for International Development, deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund and deputy governor of the Bank of England, where she sat on the monetary, financial and prudential policy committees.
James Murray has been promoted from exchequer secretary to the Treasury to chief secretary to replace Jones, while chancellor Rachel Reeves has also announced that John Van Reenen has been appointed by the chancellor as an adviser on economic growth. Van Reenen previously worked as chair of the chancellor’s Council of Economic Advisers before returning to his role as Ronald Coase School Professor at the London School of Economics, but he will now report directly to Reeves, focused on the government’s growth mission.
Read more: UK government to test AI admin helpers to boost convenience for citizens
McFadden sets out case for digital ID
Ahead of the new appointments, Pat McFadden, the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said that the government was looking at the potential for digital identity, with the objective of having a system “that makes the access to services much easier, faster and more convenient for people”.
The UK has developed a government app and wallet, with the potential for driving licences to be added to provide some identify verification.
McFadden told The Times that the government already has “good synchronicity between the passport and the driving licence system”, but added there was a need to “move on and innovate more from where we are at the moment”.
Read more: Finding your identity: how three governments are developing digital ID
A digital identity system is a key building block to government service transformation, and McFadden said it could also help prove the right to work of people in the UK, with the aim of tackling illegal immigration.
“I think there are applications of digital ID to the immigration system, to the benefit system, to a number of areas which can show that we are interested in proper validation of people’s identity, that the people who exercise rights are the people who are entitled to rights, and good value for money for the taxpayer.”
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