Written Question·Cabinet Office·UIN 14353
Civil Servants: Recruitment
Tabled: 30 June 2026
Answered: 14 July 2026
Question
Mike Wood
Conservative — Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether there is a maximum length of time that a (a) junior and (b) senior civil servant appointed by exception can serve as a civil servant without being appointed by open and fair competition.
Answer
Satvir KaurA civil servant can only hold an appointment at any grade for up to two years if appointed by exception. This can be extended with prior approval from the Civil Service Commission.