Post

The crossover happened in the 2024 data, but I didn't want to share it in case there were revisions. But now that I've checked in the 2025 data, I can be sure it's real.

Tom Forth

@tomforth.co.uk

21 Aug

As a percentage of total employment, since 1948 when the data starts, Central government employment is today the highest on record. Local government employment is today the lowest on record. Some context for Andy Burnham's promise to try and reverse this trend.

Tom Forth

@tomforth.co.uk

21 Aug

Some people may take comfort that the central government has itself substantially decentralised,... ,... right? Alas, no.

Tom Forth

@tomforth.co.uk

As @instituteforgovernment.org.uk show very well, Civil Servant numbers have grown fastest in London and the majority of the Senior Civil Service remain based in London. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

21/8/26, 4:32 pm0 reposts1 like

Tom Forth

@tomforth.co.uk

21 Aug

This is the context into which Andy Burnham and his team at Number 10 North are talking about diverting significant resources out of the the civil service. www.politico.eu/article/burn...

politico.euBurnham will divert ‘significant’ resources out of civil service, says No. 10 North chiefCaroline Simpson, the No. 10 deputy chief of staff, tells POLITICO England remains “one of the most centralized countries in the Western Hemisphere.”

Tom Forth

@tomforth.co.uk

21 Aug

I know, for a now hear it a lot, that many people consider this to be "anti-Southern". And I don't disagree. Because I have long claimed that the patterns I've just shown in the other direction were anti-Northern. I hope people are consistent on this. And consider the relative scales.