Tories will target civil service 'jobs for life'

Sacking Whitehall's most senior civil servants would be easier under reforms planned by the Tories.

The Conservatives aim to end the "jobs for life" culture and are discussing giving ministers powers to dismiss permanent secretaries, it was reported today.

The highest ranking officials would be put on fixed-term contracts and new "non-executive directors" from the private sector would advise ministers on whether senior civil servants were performing adequately. Whitehall historian Professor Kevin Theakston said: "The Conservatives will have to be careful not to appear to be trying to promote officials they think are sympathetic to their party."