# Whitehall is too ‘tame, reactive and risk-averse’, says UK’s top civil servant

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/whitehall-is-too-tame-reactive-and-risk-averse-says-uks-top-civil-servant/
- Published: 2026-11-11T06:00:31+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T06:38:02+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/nov/11/whitehall-tame-reactive-risk-averse-antonia-romeo-cabinet-secretary
- Topics: Politics, UK, World

## Key points

- Romeo says Whitehall needs major reform.
- Performance management will reward delivery and expertise.
- A spring review will consider AI and departmental structures.

## Summary

Antonia Romeo, the UK’s most senior civil servant, says Whitehall is too cautious, reactive and divided, and needs fundamental reform to improve productivity. She plans to change how officials’ performance is managed, rewarding strong delivery and expertise while taking firmer action on poor performance.

Romeo said increased bonuses for high-performing senior officials were only a first step, and that she also wants to reduce staff turnover driven by pay incentives. A review due in the spring will examine departmental structures, artificial intelligence and devolution; she argued AI could cut bureaucracy and help officials focus on decisions and public services, with safeguards.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.