Starmer appoints ‘safe pair of hands’ to run civil service as he prepares for major reset after only five months in power

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sir Keir Starmer has appointed a candidate described as a “safe pair of hands” to run the civil service as he prepares to reset his government this week following a turbulent first five months in power. The prime minister has chosen Sir Chris Wormald, the current permanent secretary to the Department of Health, to be his cabinet secretary, Britain’s most senior civil service position. open image in gallery Chris Wormald will play a key role in delivering the PM’s ‘plan for change’ While the prime minister has said he wants to bring change and rewire the government, it has been noted that his choice to run the Whitehall machine is the least radical of the candidates, with Sir Chris pipping more dynamic characters like Olly Robbins and Antonia Romeo at the post. Sir Chris said: “I am delighted that the prime minister has appointed me to the privileged role of leading our talented civil service, as we rise to the challenge of delivering the government’s focused agenda to deliver its plan for change.