ATTACK ON THE UNFIT BLOB

SIMON CASE, the head of the Civil Service, has said the unsayable: Whitehall officials do not have the skills and experience to address the country’s biggest challenges.

Of course, Ministers have been saying this about civil servants for years – think of John Reid in 2006 declaring the Home Office ‘unfit for purpose’. But for a man in Case’s position to acknowledge the problem so openly is significant, not to mention admirable. That said, I don’t expect ‘the Blob’ will take kindly to his candour. Do send me your address, Simon, and I’ll send you one of my spare tin hats.