Private offices provide essential assistance to ministers. But some struggle to recruit and retain experienced staff, and fail to deliver the support ministers need to achieve their aims in government. This report sets out how the civil service can improve private offices to ensure that every minister is supported capably.

The Institute for Government is undertaking research in preparation for the expected 2024 election in the United Kingdom and all its potential outcomes, including looking at how the Opposition and the civil service should prepare for a possible transition of government. In this report, the authors identify lessons for how Sir Keir Starmer should approach...