GSS People Advisory Group
The Government Statistical Service (GSS) People Advisory Group (PAG) supports the National Statistician and statistical Heads of Profession (HoPs) to strengthen the GSS as a community. They achieve this through the development and review of people policies and practices for the GSS community which support professional capability and capacity.
The group focuses on three key work streams:
- Capacity – Recruitment and Emerging and Early Talent
- Consistency – Standards and Competencies
- Capability – Learning and Development
Each year, PAG develops a programme of work on behalf of the National Statistician and statistical HoPs.
Relevant drivers have shaped the identification of priorities such as:
- support for the delivery of the GSS Vision priorities for 2026
- recommendations from the Future Statistician report
- changes in Civil Service HR policies
- required actions from the 2025/26 Task and Finish (T&F) groups
- insight from the PAG steering group, representing the GSS community – ensuring the lived experience of the GSS community focuses our priorities
This programme encompasses three workstreams: capacity, consistency and capability.
Capacity
Workforce and recruitment
We will continue to review, improve and deliver effective recruitment processes which meet the capacity needs of the profession and ensure Government Statistician Group (GSG) career opportunities are accessible to all. We will increase understanding of the opportunities and entry routes into the GSS to attract talent.
We will continue to deliver:
- central recruitment campaigns for statisticians at grades EO to SEO
- central recruitment campaigns for summer and student placement recruitment
- clear guidance and timelines for the recruitment processes available
- workforce returns and workforce data
Our core delivery ambition for 2026/27 is:
- to deliver essential updates to mainstream recruitment materials, including interview and technical materials
Our innovation ambition for 2026/27 is:
- targeted outreach for Spring and Autumn 2026 in line with the recommendations on regional recruitment
- to implement the recommendations from the task and finish group to consider the requests made of accredited assessors by the GSS campaigns, departmental campaigns, faststream campaigns and End of Scheme Assessment (ESA) and apprentice campaigns
Early and emerging talent
We will continue to grow a strong, diverse workforce, recognising multiple entry routes. We will work in partnership with the Cabinet Office to deliver the current and future Fast Stream and Apprenticeship model, alongside continuous improvement activity.
We will continue to deliver:
- successful onboarding, induction, and delivery of the Fast Stream programme for all GSS cohorts, working with Fast Stream and Emerging Talent (FSET)
- continued development of the GSS Fast Stream programme in line with Civil Service priorities, feedback from the community, and wider analytical profession engagement
- successful recruitment campaigns, onboarding and delivery of the Level 4 and Level 6 apprenticeship in England and Wales
Our core delivery ambition for 2026/27 is:
- to deliver regional networking events for apprentices.
- to review the effectiveness of the current GSS apprenticeship offer, including opportunities to increase departmental bids
Our innovation ambition for 2026/27 is:
- to identify and implement updates to apprenticeship recruitment materials to address diversity and inclusion
- to engage with wider work led by the Civil Service people board to address challenges and identify roles for fast streamers at the end of scheme
Consistency
Standards and competencies
We will support members to understand the Government Statistician Group (GSG) professional career framework, and ensure it is used by all leaders in recruitment and performance management activity. The professional competencies will continue to be regularly reviewed and kept current and relevant.
We will continue to deliver:
- central support for badging campaigns
- central guidance on fastpass recruitment and badging routes
- assessor training
Our core delivery ambition for 2026/27 is:
- implementation of the recommendations from task and finish group on GSG badging standards
Our innovation ambition for 2026/27 is:
- to set up a task and finish group to review and develop the current GSG Competency framework in order to address gaps against the skills needed by the future statistician and technical innovations since the 2021 refresh
Capability
Learning and development
We will ensure GSS members can access support and training to enable them to progress in their careers. We will continue to improve the GSS learning offer to ensure it remains in line with wider Civil Service reform priorities
We will continue to deliver:
- refinement and development of the suitable learning model for the GSS fast stream
- GSS induction and foundation courses
Our innovation ambition for 2026/27 is:
- to set up a task and finish group to develop signposting to existing learning and development routes
- to consider enhancements to GSG Foundation course content
- to support the Future Statistician task and finish group to work with the RSS to develop a programme of career pathways and associated learning and continuous development
We will support the GSS Strategic vision through:
- working with the National Statistician’s Office (NSO) to define the delivery model for GSS learning and development
- PAG representation in wider work lead by the GSS AI Champions Group, Analysis Function and the RSS, to equip statisticians with training in data science, artificial intelligence, and emerging analytical tools to future-proof capabilities
There are several teams and groups responsible for delivering the GSS People Priorities plan.
People Advisory Group
The People Advisory Group (PAG) meets on a quarterly basis, and reports bi-annually to the GSS Heads of Profession. It regularly consults with HoPs on recommendations and provides updates. The Chair of the PAG also sits on the National Statistics Executive Group (NSEG).
PAG members include:
- The PAG Chair: Gemma Brand, Department for Transport
- Career Framework Steering Group Chair
- Learning and Development Steering Group Chair
- Deputy Head of the Government Statistical Service (GSS)
- Deputy Director of People Capability
- Head of GSS Policy and Coordination
- GSS People Priority Leads
The GSS Careers team and GSS Policy and Coordination team in ONS also play a crucial role in the delivery of the PAG programme of work.
Steering Groups
The work of PAG is supported through two Steering Groups:
- Career Framework Steering Group, Chaired by Adrian Chesson (Office for National Statistics)
- Learning and Development Steering Group, Chaired by Katie Dodd (Department for Work and Pensions)
These Steering Groups ensure that the GSS community are actively involved in shaping GSS people priority work. Their responsibilities are to:
- represent the views of the community
- conduct research
- develop options for action
- provide recommendations
- make decisions
All departments have the opportunity to be represented at steering groups.
Task and Finish Groups
Task and Finish Groups are commissioned to work on solutions for priority objectives. Their responsibility is to:
- consult with stakeholders
- represent departments’ views and priorities
- inform, recommend and achieve priority objectives
These groups are resourced by volunteers from across the GSS community. We encourage members of the GSS to join relevant Task and Finish Groups.
To support the 2026 work programme, we are seeking volunteers from across the GSS community for the following task and finish groups. These are fantastic opportunities to actively influence and support the delivery and direction of the GSS community, with the chance to develop new skills and build new networks. Learn more on the task and finish group webpage. Accredited GSS assessors fulfil a vital role in the GSS by helping to maintain standards and consistency, maintaining a sense of community across our profession, and providing the necessary skills and experience to assess technical statistical capability directly. The GSS assessor task and finish group in 2025/26 investigated the demands placed on GSS accredited assessors, and have identified opportunities to improve processes and manage untenable demands for assessors. The GSS Assessor task and finish group in 2026/27 will be taking forward the implementation of these recommendations, which fall into 5 broad areas: This task and finish group will deliver a programme of work to review and update the Government Statistician Group (GSG) competency framework, drawing on recent insights from the Future Statistician report. The GSG competency framework provides a clear set of technical skills and behaviours needed to uphold the professional standards within the GSG and to meet the strategic aims of the profession. The GSG Competency framework was last refreshed in 2021. There has been considerable technological innovation since then, alongside the publication of other key strategic drivers such as the Code of Practice 3.0 and the GSS strategic vision. It is important we have a modern GSG competency framework which equips statisticians with the relevant skills needed to keep pace with technological advances and modern data infrastructure, evolving strategic drivers, alongside statistical integrity. The updated GSG competency framework will need to be embedded into updated processes for recruitment, badging, skills and learning and development. The four broad phases of delivery will be: One of the GSS learning and development (L&D) steering group priorities is to ensure all GSS members can access the support and training to enable them to progress in their careers, with continued improvement to the offer. To improve awareness of the offering, this task and finish group will develop effective signposting of L&D routes, which have already been identified through a previous project.
Accredited assessors: recommendations implementation
GSG competency framework review
GSS learning and development signposting
Previous plans
Each year, PAG develops a programme of work on behalf of the National Statistician and statistical HoPs. This programme encompasses three workstreams: capacity, consistency and capability. Continue to review, improve and deliver effective recruitment processes which meet the capacity needs of the profession and ensure GSG career opportunities are accessible to all. Increase understanding of the opportunities and entry routes into the GSS to attract talent. Work in partnership with the Cabinet Office to deliver the current and future Fast Stream and Apprenticeship model in line with Civil Service reform, alongside continuous improvement activity. All members understand the Government Statistician Group (GSG) professional career framework and it is used by all leaders in recruitment and performance management activity. All departments will have clear guidance on GSG badging process and standards. GSS members can access support and training to enable them to progress in their careers. Continued improvement of the GSS learning offer to ensure it remains in line with wider Civil Service reform priorities. We will engage with the Analysis Function to support their work on:
Capacity
Workforce Recruitment
We will continue to deliver:
Our ambition for 2025 is:
Early and Emerging Talent
We will continue to deliver:
Our ambition for 2025 is:
Consistency
Recruitment Standards
We will continue to deliver:
Our ambition for 2025 is:
Capability
Learning and Development
We will continue to deliver:
Our ambition for 2025 is: