Civil Service Appointments Under Scrutiny: Watchdog Audits Labour-Era Hires

The Civil Service Commission is conducting an audit of recent appointments to the UK civil service, focusing on those made under the Labour government. The move comes amid allegations of cronyism, with concerns raised about individuals with close ties to Labour being appointed to key positions without open competition. The Commission’s review will investigate appointments made during July and August that bypassed standard recruitment processes. This includes individuals who previously worked for Labour-affiliated organizations or have donated to the party. The audit aims to ensure that appointments were made on merit, as required by civil service regulations. While Labour Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has defended the appointments, stating they are about having ‘the right people in the right places,’ the Commission’s review seeks to address public concerns about transparency and fairness in government appointments.