A civil service colleague wrote to me following my previous post about Civil Service accountability, pointing out the role of the ‘Civil Service Code’ in their accountability.

He was of course correct to point this out, but the ‘Code’ does not actually go as far as the ‘Armstrong Doctrine’ or the ‘Osmotherly Rules’ I talked about in my previous post.

I have reprinted the full ‘Code’, as presented to Parliament, in November 2010.

The key passage says: “Civil servants are accountable to Ministers, who in turn are accountable to Parliament.”

Whilst this could be taken to imply the ‘Armstrong Doctrine’ or the ‘Osmotherly Rules’ it does not explicitly endorse them. Indeed, saying that Civil Servants are accountable to Ministers who are in turn accountable to Parliament doesn’t explicitly rule in or out Civil Servants accountability to Parliament. In The USA Civil Servants are accountable to the President, but they are also accountable to Congress.

This central ambiguity at the heart of the UK’s system has to be specifically addressed, which the Civil Service Code does not. The fact that the ‘Code’ does not specifically endorse the ‘strong’ version of the “accountable only to Government” thesis embodied in Armstrong and Osmotherly suggests that things are changing, but as usual with glacial slowness.

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CIVIL SERVICE CODE

Presented to Parliament pursuant to section 5 (5) of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 

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[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[2], who in turn are accountable to Parliament[3].

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; and

 – ‘impartiality’ is acting solely according to the merits of the case and serving equally well Governments of different political persuasions.

4. 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.

5. This Code[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

6. You must:

 – fulfil your duties and obligations responsibly;

– always act in a way that is professional[5] and that deserves and retains the confidence of all those with whom you have dealings[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;

– keep accurate official records and handle information as openly as possible within the legal framework; and

– comply with the law and uphold the administration of justice.

7. 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; or

– disclose official information without authority. This duty continues to apply after you leave the Civil Service.

Honesty

8. You must:

 – set out the facts and relevant issues truthfully, and correct any errors as soon as possible; and

– use resources only for the authorised public purposes for which they are provided.

9. You must not:

 – deceive or knowingly mislead Ministers, Parliament or others; or

 – be influenced by improper pressures from others or the prospect of personal gain.

Objectivity

10. 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; and

– take due account of expert and professional advice.

11. You must not: 

– ignore inconvenient facts or relevant considerations when providing advice or making decisions; or

– frustrate the implementation of policies once decisions are taken by declining to take, or abstaining from, action which flows from those decisions

Impartiality

12. 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.

13. You must not:

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

Political Impartiality

14. You must:

– serve the Government[7], 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; and

– comply with any restrictions that have been laid down on your political activities.

15. You must not: 

– act in a way that is determined by party political considerations, or use official resources for party political purposes; or

– allow your personal political views to determine any advice you give or your actions.

Rights and responsibilities

16. 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.

17.  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. 

18.  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.

19.  If you have raised a matter covered in paragraphs 16 to 18, in accordance with the relevant procedures[8], and do not receive what you consider to be a reasonable response, you may report the matter to the Civil Service Commission[9]. The Commission will also consider taking a complaint direct. Its address is: 

        3rd Floor, 35 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BQ.

        Tel: 020 7276 2613

        email: info@civilservicecommission.org.uk

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.

20.  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. 

November 2010