In a thought-provoking address at the Institute for Government conference, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has criticised the “excuse culture” within the centre-left, where politicians often blame the civil service and interest groups for the slow pace of change in the UK. Streeting’s remarks come as No. 10 prepares to launch a fresh attempt at civil service reform, aiming to make the government more effective.
Streeting’s comments strike a forceful tone, as he argues that politicians are not “simply at the mercy of forces outside of our control.” He emphasises the need for action, stating, “Where there aren’t levers, we build them. Where there are barriers, we bulldoze them. Where there is poor performance, we challenge it.”
The Health Secretary’s words echo the frustrations expressed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has voiced his concern that the “levers” he could pull as Prime Minister often result in obstruction due to over-regulation and arm’s-length bodies. However, some ministers believe that reforms are being hampered more by political caution than Whitehall reluctance or stakeholder lobbying.
Streeting’s criticism extends to his own political allies, who he believes have begun to echo the arguments of the hard right, complaining about the civil service and blaming “stakeholder capture.” He argues that this “excuse culture” does the centre-left no favours, as it sends the message to the public that the government is unable to make anything work, undermining the case for keeping them in charge.
The Health Secretary emphasises the urgency of reforming public services, which he describes as “one of the greatest challenges of our age.” He points to the surging demand for health and care services, as well as the public’s perception of receiving poorer service despite paying more, as key drivers for change.
Streeting’s call for action is echoed by Louise Casey, the lead non-executive director in Whitehall, who urges the government to “just stop” complaining about the difficulties of getting things done. However, Casey also highlights a “sense of learned helplessness and hopelessness” within the civil service and an “intransigence” in the face of change.
As the government prepares to unveil its plans for civil service reform, Streeting’s remarks serve as a wake-up call for politicians on both sides of the aisle to take responsibility and drive the necessary changes to improve public service delivery. With the public’s trust and confidence at stake, the call for action is clear: it’s time to stop making excuses and start delivering results.
