The Department for Spending, Infrastructure and the Treasury (DSIT) has released new transparency data on workforce management information for UK government departments as of April 2026. The data provides a detailed breakdown of staff numbers and costs, offering valuable insights into the UK public sector workforce.
According to the data, staff numbers across UK government departments have increased by 1.5% compared to the same period last year, with a total of 1.45 million employees now working within the sector. The total staff cost for UK government departments has risen to £24.8 billion in April 2026, an increase of £370 million from the previous year.
The Department for Education and the Department of Health and Social Care have been found to have the highest staff numbers and costs, with 242,000 and 221,000 employees respectively. The Ministry of Defence and the Home Office also feature prominently in the top five.
The transparency data has been welcomed by those calling for greater accountability and transparency within the UK public sector. The data is expected to inform policy decisions and help identify areas where cost savings can be made.
UK government departments have been under increasing pressure to reduce costs and improve efficiency in recent years. The latest transparency data provides a crucial snapshot of the UK public sector workforce and will be closely watched by those seeking to understand the inner workings of government.