Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answers of 7 September 2026 to Question 19361 on Public Appointments: Equality and of 8 September 2026 to Question 20975 on Civil Service Recruitment, whether the socio-economic background of an applicant is a material consideration or determining factor in the appointment process for civil servants through the (a) Civil Service Masterclass and (b) the listed Going Forward into Employment recruitment schemes.

Socio-economic background is one of the considerations that determines whether individuals can apply for the Going Forward into Employment pathways listed below.

• DCMS Learn & Grow Pathway

• DWP Social Mobility Apprenticeship

• Crown Prosecution Service Diversifying CPS Careers

• MHCLG Masterclass Pathway (sometimes referred to as the Civil Service Masterclass)

• Home Office Pathway to Employment

More information on GFiE Pathway opportunities for people from Low Social Mobility Backgrounds can be found on the GFiE Civil Service Careers site: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/gfie-pathways/#social-mobility. This site is visible in the public domain.