# Whitehall’s top official to review impact of AI on civil service > Source: > Published: 2026-06-18 01:01:00+00:00 ##### The new cabinet secretary Antonia Romeo is understood to be undertaking an assessment of government’s current performance, as well as plans for transformation, the adoption of technology, and recruitment challenges Led by government’s most senior official, a review of the “organisation, performance and transformation of the permanent civil service” is set to report its findings in early 2027. Among the [core objectives](https://www.publictechnology.net/2026/04/13/education-and-skills/whitehall-chief-puts-ambitious-and-deliverable-ai-plans-on-priority-list/) of the recently appointed cabinet secretary Dame Antonia Romeo is the goal of “reforming the civil service so that it is recognised for excellence in delivery, innovation and improved productivity”. To support this ambition, it is understood that an ongoing review will consider, among other things, the size, shape and structure of the civil service, the impact of AI and technology, and government’s ability to attract and retain the best talent from across the country. It will culminate in a report setting out a vision for the civil service’s future, with the intention of building on the institution’s existing strengths. The report will include recommendations on strengthening accountability and capability to deliver for the country, and safeguarding impartiality and the core values of the permanent civil service. Another of the central priorities of the review will be to strengthen trust with ministers, parliament and the public, with a refresh of the civil service code to focus on this. In undertaking the review, Romeo will draw on a panel of expert advisers from across academia, private and public sectors, civil society and the international sphere. Full terms of reference, including timings, will be published in the summer. ### Related content [Civil service head: ‘AI is the defining opportunity and challenge of our generation’](https://www.publictechnology.net/2026/06/04/education-and-skills/civil-service-head-ai-the-defining-opportunity-and-challenge-of-our-generation/)[Does transformation need a transformation?](https://www.publictechnology.net/2026/03/10/education-and-skills/does-transformation-need-a-transformation/)[Government must ‘continue to modernise and innovate’, new civil service chief says](https://www.publictechnology.net/2026/02/24/education-and-skills/government-must-continue-to-modernise-and-innovate-new-civil-service-chief-says/) In a letter to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee published last week, Romeo gave more details on the timeline for both the review and a revamp of the Cabinet Manual, including an expected reporting date. The cab sec said: “The Cabinet Manual update is part of a wider programme of work to strengthen the operation of government, including the review into the organisation, performance and transformation of the permanent civil service, which I have agreed with the prime minister that I will lead, and which will report in a similar timeframe to the updated Cabinet Manual. The government’s ambition is to publish the second edition of the manual in early 2027.” To enable the Cabinet Manual refresh to be completed in early 2027, Romeo said she plans to share the draft text with PACAC and the House of Lords’ Constitution Committee this autumn, and has asked the committee to help the government to “maintain the timeline”. Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month that the manual – which sets out the laws, conventions and rules under which the government operates – has “become significantly out of date, most notably in its descriptions of general elections, the UK’s relationship with the EU, and the devolution settlements”.