This report explores the main challenges the government faces in carrying out workforce planning and using it effectively. We highlight examples of good practice and innovation to support learning and knowledge sharing across government. We draw on insights from our previous work, both to identify workforce planning challenges and to set out the way forward for the government.
Jump to downloadsBackground to the report
There are more than six million public sector workers in the UK, with total public sector staff costs of £260 billion in 2024-25. Workforce planning is crucial to the government because so much of its activity depends on people. When done well, workforce planning supports the effective delivery of public services and the government’s ability to achieve its priorities and objectives.
Public sector employment levels have faced significant scrutiny in recent years. Total public sector employment stood at 6.2 million in December 2025. This was an increase from 5.6 million at the end of 2019, with public sector staff numbers having risen year on year over that period. Future workforce numbers will be affected by factors including demographic changes and digital and artificial intelligence (AI) adoption. Digital technologies, in particular, are expected to fundamentally change how government organisations carry out their work and the staffing required.
Lessons and insights
The lessons in this report are directed at government senior leaders and those involved in making workforce decisions. They are intended to highlight where organisations need to focus their efforts to ensure workforce planning supports the government’s strategic aims. We highlight in particular the implications of adopting digital technologies expected to result in major changes to how organisations carry out their work.
Our lessons are structured around four key areas:
- How workforce planning can support increased productivity, particularly fundamental process and service improvements from digital and AI adoption.
- The relationship between workforce planning and organisational resilience.
- How workforce planning can contribute to better financial management.
- Improvements needed to workforce planning capability and coordination across government.
Downloads
- Report - Government Workforce Planning (.pdf — 943 KB)
- Summary - Government Workforce Planning (.pdf — 185 KB)
- Epub - Government Workforce Planning (.epub — 2 MB)
Press release
View press release (15 Jul 2026)
Publication details
- ISBN: 978-1-78604-690-1 [Buy a hard copy of this report]
- HC: 267, 2026-27