Statutory guidance

The Civil Service code

Updated 16 March 2015

Civil Service values

The statutory basis for the management of the Civil Service is set out in Part 1 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.

The Civil Service is an integral and key part of the government of the United Kingdom^{[footnote 1]}. It supports the government of the day in developing and implementing its policies, and in delivering public services. Civil servants are accountable to ministers^{[footnote 2]}, who in turn are accountable to Parliament^{[footnote 3]}.

As a civil servant, you are appointed on merit on the basis of fair and open competition and are expected to carry out your role with dedication and a commitment to the Civil Service and its core values: integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. In this code:

• ‘integrity’ is putting the obligations of public service above your own personal interests
• ‘honesty’ is being truthful and open
• ‘objectivity’ is basing your advice and decisions on rigorous analysis of the evidence
• ‘impartiality’ is acting solely according to the merits of the case and serving equally well governments of different political persuasions

These core values support good government and ensure the achievement of the highest possible standards in all that the Civil Service does. This in turn helps the Civil Service to gain and retain the respect of ministers, Parliament, the public and its customers.

This code^{[footnote 4]} sets out the standards of behaviour expected of you and other civil servants. These are based on the core values which are set out in legislation. Individual departments may also have their own separate mission and values statements based on the core values, including the standards of behaviour expected of you when you deal with your colleagues.

Standards of behaviour

Integrity

You must:

• fulfil your duties and obligations responsibly
• always act in a way that is professional^{[footnote 5]} and that deserves and retains the confidence of all those with whom you have dealings^{[footnote 6]}
• carry out your fiduciary obligations responsibly (that is make sure public money and other resources are used properly and efficiently)
• deal with the public and their affairs fairly, efficiently, promptly, effectively and sensitively, to the best of your ability
• ensure you have Ministerial authorisation for any contact with the media^{[footnote 7]}
• keep accurate official records and handle information as openly as possible within the legal framework
• comply with the law and uphold the administration of justice

You must not:

• misuse your official position, for example by using information acquired in the course of your official duties to further your private interests or those of others
• accept gifts or hospitality or receive other benefits from anyone which might reasonably be seen to compromise your personal judgement or integrity
• disclose official information without authority (this duty continues to apply after you leave the Civil Service)

Honesty

You must:

• set out the facts and relevant issues truthfully, and correct any errors as soon as possible
• use resources only for the authorised public purposes for which they are provided

You must not:

• deceive or knowingly mislead ministers, Parliament or others
• be influenced by improper pressures from others or the prospect of personal gain

Objectivity

You must:

• provide information and advice, including advice to ministers, on the basis of the evidence, and accurately present the options and facts
• take decisions on the merits of the case
• take due account of expert and professional advice

You must not:

• ignore inconvenient facts or relevant considerations when providing advice or making decisions
• frustrate the implementation of policies once decisions are taken by declining to take, or abstaining from, action which flows from those decisions

Impartiality

You must:

• carry out your responsibilities in a way that is fair, just and equitable and reflects the Civil Service commitment to equality and diversity

You must not:

• act in a way that unjustifiably favours or discriminates against particular individuals or interests

Political Impartiality

You must:

• serve the government^{[footnote 2]}, whatever its political persuasion, to the best of your ability in a way which maintains political impartiality and is in line with the requirements of this code, no matter what your own political beliefs are
• act in a way which deserves and retains the confidence of ministers, while at the same time ensuring that you will be able to establish the same relationship with those whom you may be required to serve in some future government
• comply with any restrictions that have been laid down on your political activities

You must not:

• act in a way that is determined by party political considerations, or use official resources for party political purposes
• allow your personal political views to determine any advice you give or your actions.

Rights and responsibilities

Your department or agency has a duty to make you aware of this Code and its values. If you believe that you are being required to act in a way which conflicts with this Code, your department or agency must consider your concern, and make sure that you are not penalised for raising it.

If you have a concern, you should start by talking to your line manager or someone else in your line management chain. If for any reason you would find this difficult, you should raise the matter with your department’s nominated officers who have been appointed to advise staff on the code.

If you become aware of actions by others which you believe conflict with this code you should report this to your line manager or someone else in your line management chain; alternatively you may wish to seek advice from your nominated officer. You should report evidence of criminal or unlawful activity to the police or other appropriate regulatory authorities. This code does not cover HR management issues.

If you have raised a matter in accordance with the relevant procedures^{[footnote 7]}, and do not receive what you consider to be a reasonable response, you may report the matter to the Civil Service Commission^{[footnote 8]}. The commission will also consider taking a complaint direct. Its address is:

Civil Service Commission
G/8
1 Horse Guards Road
London
SW1A 2HQ

Tel: 020 7271 0831

Email: [email protected]

If the matter cannot be resolved using the procedures set out above, and you feel you cannot carry out the instructions you have been given, you will have to resign from the Civil Service.

This Code is part of the contractual relationship between you and your employer. It sets out the high standards of behaviour expected of you which follow from your position in public and national life as a civil servant. You can take pride in living up to these values.

1. Civil servants working for the Scottish and Welsh Governments, and their agencies, have their own versions of the code. Similar codes apply to the Northern Ireland civil service and the Diplomatic Service. Civil servants working in non-ministerial departments in England, Scotland and Wales are covered by this code. ↩

2. Some civil servants are accountable to the office holder in charge of their organisation. This is made clear in terms and conditions of employment. ↩ ↩²

3. Civil servants advising ministers should be aware of the constitutional significance of Parliament, and of the conventions governing the relationship between Parliament and the government. ↩

4. The respective responsibilities placed on ministers and special advisers in relation to the civil service are set out in their codes of conduct. Special advisers are also covered by this Civil Service code except, in recognition of their specific role, the requirements for objectivity and impartiality. ↩

5. Including taking account of ethical standards governing particular professions. ↩

6. Including a particular recognition of the importance of co-operation and mutual respect between civil servants working for the UK government and the devolved administrations and vice-versa. ↩

7. The whistleblowing legislation (the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998) may also apply in some circumstances. The ‘Directory of Civil Service guidance’ and the ‘Civil Service management code’ give more information. ↩ ↩²

8. The Civil Service Commission’s ‘Guide to bringing a complaint’ gives more information. It is available on the Civil Service Commission website. ↩