“So clever they can’t tie their own shoelaces”:  Why the Civil Service Fast Stream process needs reform

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | 6th April 2026 | Comment
(Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
(Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

Despite the competitiveness of the elite civil service fast stream, Lucy Carrier-Pilkington warns that it is turning away those with real talent.

The Civil Service Fast Stream is one of the most sought-after jobs on the graduate market, attracting over 70,000 applications in 2025 and maintaining the top spot in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers for 2025-2026. 

This past year was a record year for Fast Stream applications, with a 64% increase from the 44,000 applicants in 2024, and a 170% uptick from the 26,000 who applied in 2023, according to Civil Service World. Due to the high volume of applicants, the chances of success are exceptionally narrow – usually at 1%, but even as low as 0.2% for especially competitive opportunities such as in the Diplomatic Fast Stream. 

So why is it that some mainstream and even ex Fast Stream civil servants believe that the talent coming through the door is simply not up for the job (or at least are not supported in the right way to be effective)? Part of this could come down to the nature of the recruitment process – the first stage, which cuts the vast majority of applicants, comprises a workplace scenarios test and a case study test. 

Everyone, as long as they fit the basic requirements to apply, gets to sit these tests, and for certain roles, such as for Cyber Security and the Government Statistical Service, they must complete additional information online. However, despite this being the most cut-throat stage of the recruitment process, no applicant has their CV looked at. 

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