The NAO and the Commissioner for Public Appointments have noted that delays can put off candidates, leading them to withdraw their application or deterring them from applying in the first place.8 The Cabinet Office also told us that its outreach work showed that people can feel put off applying in the first place because they fear it will take too long. It said that executive search firms reported that people will take private sector posts instead of public appointments because they envisage ...

The NAO and the Commissioner for Public Appointments have noted that delays can put off candidates, leading them to withdraw their application or deterring them from applying in the first place.8 The Cabinet Office also told us that its outreach work showed that people can feel put off applying in the first place because they fear it will take too long. It said that executive search firms reported that people will take private sector posts instead of public appointments because they envisage the process for the latter will take longer to be completed.9 Delayed appointments can also lead to either gaps on boards or necessitate that public bodi Type: conclusion | Number: 6 | Response status: accepted Government response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendations. appointments processes to improve diversity. The outcomes of this review and consultation process will be reflected in the new approach, to be published by October 2025 (see response to recommendation 4a). Tru