Corporate report

Civil Service Fast Stream Recruitment Data 2023 (HTML)

Published 29 February 2024

This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government

Fast Stream recruitment by scheme, all applicants, 2023

Table 16

Category Vacancies[footnote 1] Registration Applications by any preference[footnote 2] Applications by 1st preference Recommended for appointment Success rate[footnote 3]
All schemes 1,040 29,812 95,435 26,899 1,084 4.0%
Graduate Fast Stream - - - - - -
Generalist 333 5,384 19,772 5,255 336 6.4%
Houses Of Parliament 4 2022 9645 1984 [footnote 4] -
Diplomatic and Development 55 7,506 13,813 7,367 46 0.6%
Science and Engineering 62 698 1,330 674 66 9.8%
Other Fast Stream schemes - - - - - -
GES 111 649 1,530 639 126 19.7%
GSS 61 263 1,475 262 68 26.0%
GSR 35 1,616 5,073 1,582 40 2.5%
GORS 53 175 1,412 172 38 22.1%
DDTAC 102 2,233 6,426 2,154 107 5.0%
Commercial 56 1,041 6,972 1,017 57 5.6%
Finance 57 1,394 4,413 1,357 68 5.0%
Human Resources 31 2,243 8,274 2,181 35 1.6%
Project Delivery 62 1,672 10,802 1,626 72 4.4%
Property 18 642 4,498 629 21 3.3%
Scheme not selected - 2,274 - 0 - -

Source: Cabinet Office - Fast Stream Application Tracking System

Fast Stream recruitment by diversity characteristics, all applicants, 2023

Table 17

Category Registrations (Number) Registrations (% known) Applications (Number)[footnote 5] Applications (% known) Recommended for appointment (Number) Recommended for appointment (% known) Success rate
All applicants 29,812 - 26,899 - 1,084 - 4.0%
Gender - - - - - -  
Male 12,468 46.6% 12,216 46.6% 534 50.8% 4.4%
Female 14,162 52.9% 13,853 52.9% 511 48.6% 3.7%
Other 121 0.5% 118 0.5% 7 0.7% 5.9%
Don’t know/prefer not to say/non-respondent 3,061 - 712 - 32 - 4.5%
Ethnicity - - - - - -  
White 17,376 66.4% 17,060 66.6% 722 69.6% 4.2%
Ethnic minority 8,777 33.6% 8,552 33.4% 316 30.4% 3.7%
Non-respondents/Unknown 3,659 - 1,287 - 46 - 3.6%
Disability - - - - - -  
Non-disabled 21,484 83.6% 21,025 83.6% 814 81.1% 3.9%
Disabled 4,226 16.4% 4,132 16.4% 190 18.9% 4.6%
I don’t know/prefer not to say/non-respondent 4,102 - 1,742 - 80 - 4.6%
Sexual orientation - - - - - -  
Heterosexual 20,419 81.7% 19,971 81.6% 763 78.6% 3.8%
Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Other 4,582 18.3% 4,505 18.4% 208 21.4% 4.6%
I don’t know/prefer not to say/non-respondent 4,811 - 2,423 - 113 - 4.7%
Socio-economic background - - - - - -  
Higher managerial, administrative and professional 13625 65.4% 13387 65.4% 590 70.4% 4.4%
Intermediate 3085 14.8% 3037 14.8% 115 13.7% 3.8%
Routine and manual 4130 19.8% 4044 19.8% 133 15.9% 3.3%
Non-respondent/Non-working 8972 - 6431 - 246 - 3.8%

Source: Cabinet Office - Fast Stream Application Tracking System

Fast Stream recruitment by ethnic group, all applicants, 2023

Table 18

Category Applications (Number) Applications (% known) Recommended for appointment (Number) Recommended for appointment (% known) Success rate
All applicants 26,899 - 1,084 - 4.0%
White - British 15,079 58.9% 648 62.4% 4.3%
White - Gypsy or Irish Traveller 14 0.1% [footnote 4] - -
White - Irish 355 1.4% 17 1.6% 4.8%
White - Any Other White Background 1,612 6.3% 57 5.5% 3.5%
Asian or Asian British - Bangladeshi 860 3.4% 39 3.8% 4.5%
Asian or Asian British - Indian 1,566 6.1% 69 6.6% 4.4%
Asian or Asian British - Pakistani 1,327 5.2% 46 4.4% 3.5%
Asian or Asian British - Any other Asian background 570 2.2% 25 2.4% 4.4%
Black or Black British - African 1,795 7.0% 30 2.9% 1.7%
Black or Black British - Caribbean 256 1.0% 7 0.7% 2.7%
Black or Black British - Any other Black background 98 0.4% [footnote 4] - -
Chinese or other ethnic group - Chinese 258 1.0% 8 0.8% 3.1%
Mixed - White and Asian 571 2.2% 35 3.4% 6.1%
Mixed - White and Black African 227 0.9% 8 0.8% 3.5%
Mixed - White and Black Caribbean 240 0.9% 11 1.1% 4.6%
Mixed - Any other Mixed background 444 1.7% 15 1.4% 3.4%
Other - Arab 154 0.6% 10 1.0% 6.5%
Any other ethnic background 186 0.7% 10 1.0% 5.4%
Unknown 1,225 - 43 - 3.5%
Non-respondents 62 - [footnote 4] - -

Source: Cabinet Office - Fast Stream Application Tracking System

Fast Stream recruitment by socio-economic background, all applicants, 2023

Table 19

Category Registrations (Number) Registrations (% known) Applications (Number) Applications (% known) Recommended for appointment (Number) Recommended for appointment (% known) Success rate
All applicants 29,812 26,899 1,084 4.0%      
Type of school attended - - - - - - -
State-run or state-funded school, non-selective 13,082 59.6% 12,855 59.6% 543 57.6% 4.2%
State-run or state-funded school - Selective on academic, faith or other grounds 5,683 25.9% 5,574 25.8% 257 27.3% 4.6%
Independent or fee-paying school - Bursary 770 3.5% 754 3.5% 35 3.7% 4.6%
Independent or fee-paying school - No Bursary 2,433 11.1% 2,398 11.1% 107 11.4% 4.5%
Don’t know/prefer not to say/non-respondent 7,844 - 5,318 - 142 - 2.7%
Eligibility for free school meals              
Yes 4,910 24.5% 4,809 24.4% 187 21.8% 3.9%
No 15,171 75.5% 14,921 75.6% 671 78.2% 4.5%
Unknown/prefer not to say/non-respondent 9,731 - 7,169 - 226 - 3.2%
Parent/guardian highest educational qualification - - - - - - -
Degree-level qualification 12,660 50.6% 12,437 50.6% 564 56.7% 4.5%
Qualifications below degree level 6,292 25.2% 6,176 25.1% 217 21.8% 3.5%
No formal qualification 6,055 24.2% 5,944 24.2% 214 21.5% 3.6%
Don’t know/prefer not to say/non-respondent 4,805 - 2,342 - 89 - 3.8%
Parent/guardian occupation - - - - - - -
Higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations 13,625 65.4% 13,387 65.4% 590 70.4% 4.4%
Intermediate occupations 3,085 14.8% 3,037 14.8% 115 13.7% 3.8%
Routine and manual occupations 4,130 19.8% 4,044 19.8% 133 15.9% 3.3%
Non-respondent/non-working 8,972 - 6,431 - 246 - 3.8%
Would you describe yourself as coming from a lower socio-economic background?              
Yes 9,330 40.9% 9,148 40.9% 352 38.0% 3.8%
No 13,465 59.1% 13,236 59.1% 574 62.0% 4.3%
I don’t know/prefer not to say/non-respondent 7,017 - 4,515 - 158 - -

Source: Cabinet Office - Fast Stream Application Tracking System

Fast Stream recruitment by university and scheme type, all applicants, 2023

Table 20

Category Applications Recommended for appointment Success
rate
All applicants 26,899 1,084 4.0%
Oxbridge - - -
Graduate Fast Stream scheme[footnote 6] 439 34 7.7%
Analytical schemes[footnote 7] 82 19 23.2%
Specialist schemes[footnote 8] 740 45 6.1%
Russell Group, excluding Oxbridge[footnote 9] - - -
Graduate Fast Stream scheme 3,032 178 5.9%
Analytical schemes 1,156 170 14.7%
Specialist schemes 6,536 274 4.2%
Other education provider[footnote 10] - - -
Graduate Fast Stream scheme 2,740 70 2.6%
Analytical schemes 1,341 80 6.0%
Specialist schemes 8,073 161 2.0%
Non-respondents 2760 53 1.9%

Source: Cabinet Office - Fast Stream Application Tracking System

Fast Stream recruitment by degree and scheme types, all applicants, 2023

Table 21

Category Applications Recommended for appointment Success rate
Total 26,899 1,084 4.0%
Science subject areas[footnote 11] - - -
Graduate Fast Stream scheme 2,401 116 4.8%
Analytical schemes 2,653 268 10.1%
Specialist schemes 6,475 246 3.8%
Non-STEM areas[footnote 12] - - -
Graduate Fast Stream scheme 3,944 171 4.3%
Analytical schemes [footnote 4] [footnote 4] -
Specialist schemes 9,287 240 2.6%
Non-respondents 2,137 [footnote 13] -

Source: Cabinet Office - Fast Stream Application Tracking System

Fast Stream recruitment by home location of applicant, all applicants, 2023

Table 22

Category Applications Recommended for
appointment Success rate
All applicants 26,899 1,084 4.0%
NUTS 1 statistical region - - -
North East (England) 1,180 45 3.8%
North West (England) 3,039 106 3.5%
Yorkshire and the Humber 2,073 69 3.3%
East Midlands (England) 1,480 59 4.0%
West Midlands (England) 2,008 55 2.7%
East of England 2,042 101 4.9%
London 6,387 294 4.6%
South East (England) 3,552 168 4.7%
South West (England) 1,536 66 4.3%
Scotland 1,957 69 3.5%
Wales 928 27 2.9%
Northern Ireland  381 12 3.1%
Channel Islands [footnote 13] [footnote 4] -
Isle of Man [footnote 4] [footnote 4] -
Non-respondents 320 13 4.1%

Source: Cabinet Office - Fast Stream Application Tracking System

Fast Stream recruitment by degree and scheme types, all applicants, 2023

Table 23

Category Applications (Number) Applications (% Known) Recommended for appointment (Number) Recommended for appointment (% Known) Success rate
All applicants 26,899 - 1,084 - 4.0%
Age - - - - -
20 or under 2,352 8.7% 80 7.38% 3.4%
21-23 12,285 45.7% 618 57.0% 5.0%
24-26 4,996 18.6% 218 20.1% 4.4%
27-29 2,311 8.6% 84 7.7% 3.6%
30-39 3,198 11.9% 72 6.6% 2.3%
40+ 1,757 6.5% 12 1.1% 0.7%

Source: Cabinet Office - Fast Stream Application Tracking System

Fast Stream recruitment by scheme, applicants external to Civil Service only, 2023

Table 24

Category Vacancies Registrations Applications Recommended for appointment Success
rate
Total 1,040 23,994 21,405 901 4.2%
Graduate Fast Stream - - - - -
Generalist[footnote 14] 333 3,967 3,884 297 7.6%
Houses Of Parliament 4 1,851 1,817 [footnote 4] -
Diplomatic Service[footnote 15] 55 6,595 6,488 34 0.5%
Science and Engineering 62 641 619 62 10.0%
Other Fast Stream schemes - - - - -
GES 111 599 590 115 19.5%
GSS 61 235 235 59 25.1%
GSR 35 1,510 1,478 35 2.4%
GORS 53 161 158 36 22.8%
DDTAC 102 1,448 1,397 73 5.2%
Commercial 56 842 820 47 5.7%
Finance 57 966 943 52 5.5%
Human Resources 31 1,526 1,491 25 1.7%
Project Delivery 62 1,035 1,016 48 4.7%
Property 18 477 469 15 3.2%
Scheme not selected - 2,141 - - -

Source: Cabinet Office - Fast Stream Application Tracking System

Fast Stream recruitment by diversity characteristics, applicants external to Civil Service only, 2023

Table 25

Category Registrations (Number) Registrations (% known) Applications (Number) Applications (% known) Recommended for appointment (Number) Recommended for appointment (% known) Success rate
All applicants 23,994 - 21,405 - 901 - 4.2%
Gender              
Male 9,777 46.0% 9,602 46.0% 443 50.6% 4.6%
Female 11,393 53.6% 11,177 53.5% 426 48.6% 3.8%
Other 105 0.5% 102 0.5% 7 0.8% 6.9%
Don’t know/prefer not to say/non-responden 2,719 - 524 - 25 - 4.8%
Ethnicity - - - - - - -
White 13,952 66.9% 13,739 67.1% 607 70.3% 4.4%
Ethnic minority 6,915 33.1% 6,749 32.9% 256 29.7% 3.8%
Non-respondents/Unknowns 3,127 - 917 - 38 - 4.1%
Disability - - - - - - -
Non-disabled 17,307 84.6% 16,981 84.6% 683 81.5% 4.0%
Disabled 3,148 15.4% 3,085 15.4% 155 18.5% 5.0%
I don’t know/prefer not to say/non-responde 3,539 - 1,339 - 63 - 4.7%
Sexual orientation - - - - - - -
Heterosexual 15,955 80.7% 15,645 80.7% 628 78.3% 4.0%
Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Other 3,805 19.3% 3,745 19.3% 174 21.7% 4.6%
I don’t know/prefer not to say/non-responde 4,234 - 2,015 - 99 - 4.9%
Socio-economic background - - - - - - -
Higher managerial, administrative and profe 11,514 68.4% 11,335 68.3% 516 72.2% 4.6%
Intermediate 2,360 14.0% 2,331 14.1% 93 13.0% 4.0%
Routine and manual 2,971 17.6% 2,924 17.6% 106 14.8% 3.6%
Non-respondent/non-working 7,149 - 4,815 - 186 - 3.9%

Source: Cabinet Office - Fast Stream Application Tracking System

Fast Stream recruitment by diversity characteristics, applicants internal to Civil Service only, 2023

Table 26

Category Registrations (Number) Registrations (% known) Applications (Number) Applications (% known) Recommended for appointment (Number) Recommended for appointment (% known) Success rate
All applicants 5,818 - 5,494 - 183 - 3.3%
Gender - - - - - - -
Male 2,691 49.1% 2,614 49.3% 91 51.7% 3.5%
Female 2,769 50.6% 2,676 50.4% 85 48.3% 3.2%
Other 16 0.3% 16 0.3% [footnote 4] - -
Don’t know/prefer not to say/non-respondent 342 - 188 - [footnote 13] - -
Ethnicity - - - - - - -
White 3,424 64.8% 3,321 64.8% 115 65.7% 3.5%
Ethnic minority 1,862 35.2% 1,803 35.2% 60 34.3% 3.3%
Non-respondents/Unknown 532 - 370 - 8 - 2.2%
Disability - - - - - - -
Non-disabled 4,177 79.5% 4,044 79.4% 131 78.9% 3.2%
Disabled 1,078 20.5% 1,047 20.6% 35 21.1% 3.3%
I don’t know/prefer not to say/non-respondent 563 - 403 - 17 - 4.2%
Sexual orientation - - - - - - -
Heterosexual 4,464 85.2% 4,326 85.1% 135 79.9% 3.1%
Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Other 777 14.8% 760 14.9% 34 20.1% 4.5%
I don’t know/prefer not to say/non-respondent 577 - 408 - 14 - 3.4%
Socio-economic background - - - - - - -
Higher managerial, administrative and professional 2,111 52.8% 2,052 52.9% 74 60.2% 3.6%
Intermediate 725 18.1% 706 18.2% 22 17.9% 3.1%
Routine and manual/non-working 1,159 29.0% 1,120 28.9% 27 22.0% 2.4%
Non-respondent 1,823 - 1,616 - 60 - 3.7%

Source: Cabinet Office - Fast Stream Application Tracking System

Fast Stream recruitment by age of applicant, applicants internal to Civil Service only, 2023

Table 27

Category Applications (Number) Applications (% Known) Recommended for appointment (Number) Recommended for appointment (% Known) Success rate
Total 5,494 - 183 - 3.3%
Age - - - - -
20 or under 40 0.7% [footnote 4] - -
21-23 714 13.0% 50 27.3% 7.0%
24-26 1,275 23.2% 56 30.6% 4.4%
27-29 880 16.0% 28 15.3% 3.2%
30-39 1,555 28.3% 42 23.0% 2.7%
40-49 767 14.0% 5 2.7% 0.7%
50+ 263 4.8% [footnote 4] - -

Source: Cabinet Office - Fast Stream Application Tracking System

Fast Stream recruitment by socio-economic background, internal Civil Service applicants only, 2023

Table 28

Category Registrations (Number) Registrations (% known) Applications (Number) Applications (% known) Recommended for appointment (Number) Recommended for appointment (% known) Success rate
All applicants 5,818 5,494 183 3.3%      
Type of school attended - - - - - - -
State-run or state-funded school, non-selective 2,822 65.2% 2,746 65.2% 94 61.4% 3.4%
State-run or state-funded school - Selective on academic, faith or other grounds 1,227 28.4% 1,190 28.3% 45 29.4% 3.8%
Independent or fee-paying school (Bursary and No Bursary)3 279 6.4% 273 6.5% 14 9.2% 7.4%
Don’t know/prefer not to say/non-respondent 1,490 - 1,285 - 30 - 2.3%
Eligibility for free school meals - - - - - - -
Yes 1,314 34.0% 1,283 34.2% 39 28.7% 3.0%
No 2,548 66.0% 2,473 65.8% 97 71.3% 3.9%
Unknown/prefer not to say/non-respondent 1,956 - 1,738 - 47 - 2.7%
Parent/guardian highest educational qualification - - - - - - -
Degree-level qualification 1,627 33.3% 1,583 33.4% 74 45.4% 4.7%
Qualifications below degree level 1,546 31.7% 1,500 31.6% 41 25.2% 2.7%
No formal qualification 1,706 35.0% 1,660 35.0% 48 29.4% 2.9%
Don’t know/prefer not to say/non-respondent 939 - 751 - 20 - 2.7%
Parent/guardian occupation - - - - - - -
Higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations 2,111 52.8% 2,052 52.9% 74 60.2% 3.6%
Intermediate occupations 725 18.1% 706 18.2% 22 17.9% 3.1%
Routine and manual occupations/non-working 1,159 29.0% 1,120 28.9% 27 22.0% 2.4%
Non-respondent 1,823 - 1,616 - 60 - 3.7%
Would you describe yourself as coming from a lower socio-economic background? - - - - - - -
Yes 2,383 53.4% 2,314 53.3% 77 50.7% 3.3%
No 2,080 46.6% 2,028 46.7% 75 49.3% 3.7%
I don’t know/prefer not to say/non-respondent 1,355 - 1,152 - 31 - -

Source: Cabinet Office - Fast Stream Application Tracking System

Summer Internship Programme (SIP) recruitment by diversity characteristics, 2023

Table 29

Category Registrations (Number) Registrations (% known) Applications (Number) Applications (% known) Recommended for appointment (Number) Recommended for appointment (% known) Success rate
All applicants 2,505 - 2,254 - 560 - -
Gender - - - - - - -
Male 940 40.7% 918 41.3% 232 42.2% 25.3%
Female 1,351 58.5% 1,288 57.9% 315 57.3% 24.5%
Other 17 0.7% 17 0.8% [footnote 4] - -
Don’t know/prefer not to say/non-respondent 197 - 31 - [footnote 13] - -
Ethnicity - - - - - - -
White 1,037 45.4% 999 45.4% 279 51.4% 27.9%
Ethnic minority 1,248 54.6% 1,202 54.6% 264 48.6% 22.0%
Non-respondents/Unknown 220 - 53 - 17 - 32.1%
Disability              
Non-disabled 1,726 80.1% 1,660 79.9% 407 78.3% 24.5%
Disabled 430 19.9% 417 20.1% 113 21.7% 27.1%
I don’t know/prefer not to say/non-respondent 349 - 177 - 40 - 22.6%
Sexual orientation - - - - - - -
Heterosexual 1,664 78.4% 1,610 78.4% 377 76.2% 23.4%
Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Other 458 21.6% 444 21.6% 118 23.8% 26.6%
I don’t know/prefer not to say/non-respondent 383 - 200 - 65 - 32.5%
Socio-economic background - - - - - - -
Higher managerial, administrative and professional 1053 60.9% 1025 61.1% 266 63.5% 26.0%
Intermediate 263 15.2% 254 15.1% 63 15.0% 24.8%
Routine and manual 414 23.9% 399 23.8% 90 21.5% 22.6%
Non-respondent/non-working 775 - 576 - 141 - 24.5%

Source: Cabinet Office - Fast Stream Application Tracking System

Early Diversity Internship Programme (EDIP) recruitment by diversity characteristics, 2023

Table 30

Category Registrations (Number) Registrations (% known) Applications (Number) Applications (% known) Recommended for appointment (Number) Recommended for appointment (% known) Success rate
All applicants 856 - 759 - 263 -  
Gender              
Male 299 38.5% 292 39.0% 113 43.6% 38.7%
Female 470 60.6% 450 60.2% 145 56.0% 32.2%
Other 7 0.9% 6 0.8% [footnote 4] - -
Don’t know/prefer not to say/non-respondent 80 - 11 - [footnote 4] -  
Ethnicity - - - - - - -
White 94 12.2% 89 12.0% 26 10.0% 29.2%
Ethnic minority 678 87.8% 655 88.0% 233                   90.0% 35.6%  
Non-respondents/Unknown 84 - 15 - [footnote 4] -  
Disability - - - - - - -
Non-disabled 583 79.5% 563 79.9% 188 76.7% 33.4%
Disabled 150 20.5% 142 20.1% 57 23.3% 40.1%
I don’t know/prefer not to say/non-respondent 123 - 54 - 18 - 33.3%
Sexual orientation - - - - - - -
Heterosexual 604 84.1% 581 84.0% 191 79.6% 32.9%
Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Other 114 15.9% 111 16.0% 49 20.4% 44.1%
I don’t know/prefer not to say/non-respondent 138 - 67 - 23 - 34.3%
Socio-economic background - - - - - - -
Higher managerial, administrative and professional 280 53.1% 273 53.0% 110 55.6% 40.3%
Intermediate 99 18.8% 98 19.0% 41 20.7% 41.8%
Routine and manual 148 28.1% 144 28.0% 47 23.7% 32.6%
Non-respondent/non-working 329 - 244 - 65 - 26.6%

Source: Cabinet Office - Fast Stream Application Tracking System

Fast Stream recruitment by gender, applicants external to Civil Service only, 2013 to 2023

Table 31

Competition Male - Applications Male - % of known Male - Recommended for Appointment Male - % of known Male - Success rate Female - Applications Female - % of known Female - Recommended for Appointment Female - % of known Female - Success rate Non-respondents/Prefer not to say/Other - Recommended for Success - Applications Non-respondents/Prefer not to say/Other - Recommended for Appointment Non-respondents/Prefer not to say/Other - Success rate Total - Applications Total - Recommended for Appointment Total - Success rate
2023 9,602 46.0% 443 50.6% 4.6% 11,177 53.5% 426 48.6% 3.8% 626 32 5.1% 21,405 901 4.2%
2022 14,729 46.7% 368 41.8% 2.5% 16,707 53.0% 512 58.2% 3.1% 895 31 3.5% 32,331 911 2.8%
2021 23,471 45.4% 385 41.3% 1.6% 28,191 54.6% 547 58.7% 1.9% 1171 15 1.3% 52,833 947 1.8%
2020 25,274 45.0% 481 43.3% 1.9% 30,931 55.0% 629 56.6% 2.0% 988 23 2.3% 57,193 1,133 2.0%
2019 23,356 46.7% 510 43.0% 2.2% 26,569 53.2% 671 56.5% 2.5% 852 29 3.4% 50,777 1,210 2.4%
2018 18,997 47.8% 652 47.1% 3.4% 20,784 52.2% 732 52.9% 3.5% 676 27 4.0% 40,457 1,411 3.5%
2017 19,548 48.8% 562 46.2% 2.9% 20,487 51.2% 654 53.8% 3.2% 535 17 3.2% 40,570 1,233 3.0%
2016 16,789 52.4% 631 52.1% 3.8% 15,244 47.6% 581 47.9% 3.8% 417 33 7.9% 32,450 1,245 3.8%
2015 10,855 51.9% 480 50.4% 4.4% 10,055 48.1% 472 49.6% 4.7% 225 15 6.7% 21,135 967 4.6%
2014 10,265 51.7% 468 52.0% 4.6% 9,600 48.3% 432 48.0% 4.5% 207 15 7.2% 20,072 915 4.6%
2013 9,579 53.8% 425 49.9% 4.4% 8,227 46.2% 427 50.1% 5.2% 160 12 7.5% 17,966 864 4.8%

Source: Cabinet Office - Fast Stream Application Tracking System

Fast Stream recruitment by ethnicity, applicants external to Civil Service only, 2013 to 2023

Table 32

Competition White - Applications White - % of known White - Recommended for Appointment White - % of known White - Success rate Ethnic minority - Applications Ethnic minority - % of known Ethnic minority - Recommended for Appointment Ethnic minority - % of known Ethnic minority - Success rate Non-respondents/Prefer not to say/Other - Recommended for Success - Applications Non-respondents/Prefer not to say/Other - Recommended for Appointment Non-respondents/Prefer not to say/Other - Success rate Total - Applications Total - Recommended for Appointment Total - Success rate
2023 13,739 67.1% 607 70.3% 4.4% 6,749 32.9% 256 29.7% 3.8% 917 38 4.1% 21,405 901 4.2%
2022 21,287 69.1% 637 73.6% 3.0% 9,513 30.9% 228 26.4% 2.4% 1,531 46 3.0% 32,331 911 2.8%
2021 35,793 70.7% 702 76.8% 2.0% 14,861 29.3% 212 23.2% 1.4% 2,179 33 1.5% 52,833 947 1.8%
2020 39,130 71.2% 878 80.6% 2.2% 15,830 28.8% 212 19.4% 1.3% 2,233 43 1.9% 57,193 1,133 2.0%
2019 34,307 70.1% 940 80.5% 2.7% 14,610 29.9% 227 19.5% 1.6% 1,860 43 2.3% 50,777 1,210 2.4%
2018 26,779 68.8% 1,152 84.2% 4.3% 12,124 31.2% 216 15.8% 1.8% 1,554 43 2.8% 40,457 1,411 3.5%
2017 28,476 72.6% 985 81.7% 3.5% 10,733 27.4% 221 18.3% 2.1% 1,361 27 2.0% 40,570 1,233 3.0%
2016 23,628 75.0% 1,008 84.5% 4.3% 7,872 25.0% 185 15.5% 2.4% 950 52 5.5% 32,450 1,245 3.8%
2015 16,374 79.4% 803 85.4% 4.9% 4,253 20.6% 137 14.6% 3.2% 508 27 5.3% 21,135 967 4.6%
2014 15,794 80.6% 766 85.8% 4.8% 3,809 19.4% 127 14.2% 3.3% 469 22 4.7% 20,072 915 4.6%
2013 14,415 82.0% 724 86.4% 5.0% 3,159 18.0% 114 13.6% 3.6% 392 26 6.6% 17,966 864 4.8%

Source: Cabinet Office - Fast Stream Application Tracking System

Fast Stream recruitment by disability, applicants external to Civil Service only, 2013 to 2023

Table 33

Competition Non-disabled - Applications Non-disabled - % of known Non-disabled - Recommended for Appointment Non-disabled - % of known Non-disabled - Success rate Disabled - Applications Disabled - % of known Disabled - Recommended for Appointment Disabled - % of known Disabled - Success rate Non-respondents/Prefer not to say/Other - Recommended for Success - Applications Non-respondents/Prefer not to say/Other - Recommended for Appointment Non-respondents/Prefer not to say/Other - Success rate Total - Applications Total - Recommended for Appointment Total - Success rate
2023 16,981 84.6% 683 81.5% 4.0% 3,085 15.4% 155 18.5% 5.0% 1,339 63 4.7% 21,405 901 4.2%
2022 26,048 85.5% 682 78.7% 2.6% 4,429 14.5% 185 21.3% 4.2% 1,854 44 2.4% 32,331 911 2.8%
2021 44,181 87.9% 690 76.8% 1.6% 6,056 12.1% 208 23.2% 3.4% 2,596 49 1.9% 52,833 947 1.8%
2020 50,636 91.9% 939 86.1% 1.9% 4,484 8.1% 151 13.9% 3.4% 2,073 43 2.1% 57,193 1,133 2.0%
2019 45,441 92.6% 1,040 88.9% 2.3% 3,631 7.4% 130 11.1% 3.6% 1,705 40 2.3% 50,777 1,210 2.4%
2018 36,662 93.2% 1,234 90.1% 3.4% 2,689 6.8% 135 9.9% 5.0% 1,106 42 3.8% 40,457 1,411 3.5%
2017 37,121 93.8% 1,094 91.0% 2.9% 2,472 6.2% 108 9.0% 4.4% 977 31 3.2% 40,570 1,233 3.0%
2016 28,510 90.4% 1,038 86.8% 3.6% 3,021 9.6% 158 13.2% 5.2% 919 49 5.3% 32,450 1,245 3.8%
2015 18,738 90.6% 852 90.4% 4.5% 1,949 9.4% 90 9.6% 4.6% 448 25 5.6% 21,135 967 4.6%
2014 17,994 91.5% 803 90.2% 4.5% 1,661 8.5% 87 9.8% 5.2% 417 25 6.0% 20,072 915 4.6%
2013 16,345 92.5% 774 91.3% 4.7% 1,330 7.5% 74 8.7% 5.6% 291 16 5.5% 17,966 864 4.8%

Source: Cabinet Office - Fast Stream Application Tracking System

Fast Stream recruitment by sexual orientation, applicants external to Civil Service only, 2014 to 2023

Table 34

Competition Lesbian / Gay/ Bisexual / Other (LGBO) - Applications Lesbian / Gay/ Bisexual / Other (LGBO) - % of known Lesbian / Gay/ Bisexual / Other (LGBO) - Recommended for Appointment Lesbian / Gay/ Bisexual / Other (LGBO) - % of known Lesbian / Gay/ Bisexual / Other (LGBO) - Success rate Heterosexual - Applications Heterosexual - % of known Heterosexual - Recommended for Appointment Heterosexual - % of known Heterosexual - Success rate Non-respondents/Prefer not to say/Other - Recommended for Success - Applications Non-respondents/Prefer not to say/Other - Recommended for Appointment Non-respondents/Prefer not to say/Other - Success rate Total - Applications Total - Recommended for Appointment Total - Success rate
2023 3,745 19.3% 174 21.7% 4.6% 15,645 80.7% 628 78.3% 4.0% 2,015 99 4.9% 21,405 901 4.2%
2022 4,900 16.5% 160 19.8% 3.3% 24,771 83.5% 649 80.2% 2.6% 2,660 102 3.8% 32,331 911 2.8%
2021 7,060 14.4% 168 19.3% 2.4% 42,121 85.6% 701 80.7% 1.7% 3,652 78 2.1% 52,833 947 1.8%
2020 6,192 11.5% 169 16.3% 2.7% 47,650 88.5% 865 83.7% 1.9% 3,441 99 2.9% 57,193 1,133 2.0%
2019 4,877 10.2% 177 15.8% 3.6% 43,058 89.8% 941 84.2% 2.2% 2,842 92 3.2% 50,777 1,210 2.4%
2018 3,572 9.3% 174 13.3% 4.9% 34,731 90.7% 1137 86.7% 3.3% 2,154 100 4.6% 40,457 1,411 3.5%
2017 3,376 8.8% 127 10.9% 3.8% 35,199 91.2% 1036 89.1% 2.9% 1,995 70 3.5% 40,570 1,233 3.0%
2016 2,694 9.1% 116 11.0% 4.3% 26,780 90.9% 935 89.0% 3.5% 2,976 194 6.5% 32,450 1,245 3.8%
2015 1,400 7.2% 71 8.1% 5.1% 18,068 92.8% 803 91.9% 4.4% 1,667 93 5.6% 21,135 967 4.6%
2014 1,161 6.3% 74 9.0% 6.4% 17,359 93.7% 752 91.0% 4.3% 1,552 89 5.7% 20,072 915 4.6%

Source: Cabinet Office - Fast Stream Application Tracking System

Fast Stream recruitment by socio-economic background, applicants external to Civil Service only, 2013 to 2023

Table 35

Competition Higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations - Applications Higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations - known Higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations - Appointment Higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations - known Higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations - rate Intermediate occupations - Applications Intermediate occupations - known Intermediate occupations - Appointment Intermediate occupations - known Intermediate occupations - rate Routine and manual occupations - Applications Routine and manual occupations - known Routine and manual occupations - Appointment Routine and manual occupations - known Routine and manual occupations - rate Non-respondent and non-working - Applications Non-respondent and non-working - Appointment Non-respondent and non-working - rate Total - Applications Total - Appointment Total - rate
2023 11,335 68.3% 516 72.2% 4.6% 2,331 14.1% 93 13.0% 4.0% 2,924 17.6% 106 14.8% 3.6% 4,815 186 3.9% 21,405 901 4.2%  
2022 16,790 67.8% 530 73.5% 3.2% 3,431 13.9% 87 12.1% 2.5% 4,547 18.4% 104 14.4% 2.3% 7,563 190 2.5% 32,331 911 2.8%  
2021 28,317 69.3% 572 77.2% 2.0% 5,565 13.6% 79 10.7% 1.4% 6,999 17.1% 90 12.1% 1.3% 11,952 206 1.7% 52,833 947 1.8%  
2020 30,005 67.5% 725 78.5% 2.4% 6,127 13.8% 105 11.4% 1.7% 8,350 18.8% 93 10.1% 1.1% 12,711 210 1.7% 57,193 1,133 2.0%  
2019 27,034 68.7% 809 80.8% 3.0% 5,191 13.2% 94 9.4% 1.8% 7,100 18.1% 98 9.8% 1.4% 11,452 209 1.8% 50,777 1,210 2.4%  
2018 22,364 71.3% 964 81.8% 4.3% 3,909 12.5% 107 9.1% 2.7% 5,111 16.3% 107 9.1% 2.1% 9,073 233 2.6% 40,457 1,411 3.5%  
2017 24,427 69.4% 884 79.5% 3.6% 5,967 17.0% 136 12.2% 2.3% 4,805 13.7% 92 8.3% 1.9% 5,371 121 2.3% 40,570 1,233 3.0%  
2016 22,249 77.5% 944 84.3% 4.2% 3,972 13.8% 129 11.5% 3.2% 2,486 8.7% 47 4.2% 1.9% 3,743 125 3.3% 32,450 1,245 3.8%  
2015 14,684 77.5% 773 84.9% 5.3% 2,757 14.6% 98 10.8% 3.6% 1,497 7.9% 40 4.4% 2.7% 2,197 56 2.5% 21,135 967 4.6%  
2014 14,052 77.4% 711 83.2% 5.1% 2,646 14.6% 106 12.4% 4.0% 1,464 8.1% 38 4.4% 2.6% 1,910 60 3.1% 20,072 915 4.6%  
2013 12,746 78.4% 678 83.9% 5.3% 2,284 14.0% 100 12.4% 4.4% 1,238 7.6% 30 3.7% 2.4% 1,698 56 3.3% 17,966 864 4.8%  

Source: Cabinet Office - Fast Stream Application Tracking System

  1. Vacancy figures are true as of 27/06/2023. They are for all applicants (external and internal applicants). 

  2. Applicants can select up to 4 Fast Stream schemes. 

  3. Success rate is the number of applicants recommended for appointment as a proportion of all applicants. 

  4. Primary suppression due to small sample size (groups with fewer than five members)  2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

  5. Applications by first preference scheme. 

  6. Graduate Fast Stream includes: Generalist, Houses of Parliament, Diplomatic Service and Science & Engineering schemes. 

  7. Analytical schemes include: Government Economic Service, Government Social Research Service, Government Operational Research Service and Government Statistical Service schemes. 

  8. Specialist schemes include: Commercial, Digital Data & Technology, Finance, Human Resources, Project Delivery and Property schemes. 

  9. The Russell Group consists of 24 UK universities (including Oxford and Cambridge). 

  10. Other education provider covers applicants who did not attend a Russell Group university. 

  11. Science subject areas include; Agriculture & Related Subjects, Architecture, Building & Planning, Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering & Technology, Mathematical Sciences, Medicine & Dentistry, Physical Sciences, Subjects Allied to Medicine, Veterinary Sciences and applicants who satisfied scheme eligibility requirements. 

  12. Non-STEM areas include applicants who did not study one of the science subject areas listed above or who did not satisfy scheme eligibility requirements. 

  13. Secondary suppression due to a primary suppressed value being deducable from other values in the table.  2 3 4

  14. Generalist includes the Generalist STEM scheme. 

  15. Diplomatic Service includes the Diplomatic Service & Diplomatic Service Economists schemes.