Civil service internships will only be accessible to students from poorer families to make Whitehall more working class, the government has announced.
The changes are expected to take effect from summer 2026 as part of a broader push to make the civil service more representative of the working class
Currently, applicants from lower socio economic backgrounds are less likely to get a place on the Fast Stream. This is a first step towards changing that, as the government works to ensure the Civil Service better reflects the country it serves.
Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said:
We need to get more working class young people into the Civil Service so it harnesses the broadest range of talent and truly reflects the country. Government makes better decisions when it represents and understands the people we serve.
I want to open up opportunities for students from all backgrounds, and in every corner of the UK, so they can take a leading role at the heart of government as we re-wire the state and deliver the Plan for Change.
The programme will give roughly 200 undergraduates the opportunity to work in a Civil Service department for two months, acting as a stepping stone to a fulfilling career in the Civil Service post-university.
Undergraduates on the programme, which is paid, will get experience that could include planning events, writing briefings for ministers, shadowing senior civil servants and carrying out research for policy development.
Those on the scheme will get access to tailored support, including being allocated a “buddy” who is a current Fast Streamer and getting access to skills sessions. Participants who perform well will be fast-tracked to the final stages of the Fast Stream selection process if they decide to apply for a job after graduation.
