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Government Economics
Service scheme

Scheme duration

3.5 years

Location

UK wide

Scheme overview

Embark on a career path with the Government Economics Service (GES): influence policy and shape the government’s response to today’s essential economic issues.

Who is the scheme suitable for

You will experience the application of economics in the real world, applying your academic knowledge to help shape and define the government’s responses to the important issues of the day. You will learn how economists utilise their knowledge to improve policy, delivery and national socio-economic outcomes.

As the UK’s largest recruiter of economists, you will join a vibrant and growing community of more than 3,400 professionals across government, operating in more than 50 departments and agencies across the UK.

Promotion and successful completion of the scheme will see you earn between £45k and £55k. The scheme is designed so that, wherever you find yourself working in government beyond the GES Fast Stream scheme, you will have the skills that allow you to be a professional leader and manager within government.

Entry requirements

  • you need to be eligible to work in the UK
  • you need to have, or expect to receive, a first or upper second-class (2:1) degree (or international equivalent), or a degree apprenticeship or higher or a postgraduate degree in economics
  • for joint degrees, at least 50% of the course modules should be in economics
  • you must have studied both micro and macroeconomics to qualify
  • if you graduated more than five years ago then you must have examples of how you have maintained your economic knowledge

Benefits you’ll enjoy

The GES Fast Stream offers a unique and fantastic opportunity to begin your career as a government economist. You will have the opportunity to work on issues that really matter, learn how government works, and gain the experience that will allow you to be a future leader within the UK Civil Service.

You will also have access to the benefits available to all UK Civil Servants, including the Civil Service Pension Scheme, professional qualifications, flexible working, season ticket loans, sports and social activities, childcare assistance and more.

Demystifying the Government Economics scheme

Supporting your learning

We want our fast streamers to be the future leaders of the profession. Therefore, on scheme you will undertake a specific Learning and Development Curriculum to develop your leadership skills and wider understanding of the UK Civil Service.

In parallel you will also develop your professional economics knowledge through on-the-job learning. You will also be able to access economist specific technical training, seminars and other courses, which can be tailored from our annual programmes to your specific learning needs.

Grace talks about her experience on the Government Economics Service scheme, and why she chose to apply.

Read Grace’s story

“Joining the Government Economics Service Fast Stream has given me the opportunity to apply my economic knowledge to real world issues. For example, I have been able to assess the impact of certain policies and present my findings to other economists. I have always wanted a job where I felt like I was making a difference.”

Grace Mickleburgh

Government Economics fast streamer

Government Economics Service fast streamer, Grace

About the scheme

The Government Economics Service champions economics in government: supporting our economists and promoting the use of high-quality economic analysis in policy making. We have a large cross-government presence, with more than 3,400 members. The Fast Stream is a great way to join!

As a Government Economics Service fast streamer you will be involved in important current issues, helping to shape government policy.

GES economists operate across the entire Civil Service. On this scheme you’ll have the chance to develop your expertise through three job postings across government.

Fast streamers work in a broad range of areas such as:

  • macro-economic modelling
  • competition policy
  • international financial issues
  • labour market trends
  • taxation
  • housing benefits
  • local government finance
  • public health
  • criminal justice

You’ll also develop as a leader for the profession, helping to maximise the impact and influence of analysis within government.

The work of the GES economists across government is diverse, taking in the full range of economic approaches, methods and applications. Your experiences on scheme will be equally diverse, with the opportunity of working in a wide range of government departments or agencies, and sometimes even overseas.

Scheme placement details

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In your first job posting you’ll learn what is expected of a GES economist and how economics is used to support the work of your home department. You will be expected to hit the ground running, contributing from the beginning to the work of the GES. At the end of your posting you will undertake a review to ensure that you are on track for scheme completion.

As you move to your year two posting your responsibilities will increase. You will be able to take on a different role to begin broadening your experiences across government. You will also undertake another short review at the end of year two, to ensure that you are on track for scheme completion.

You will move to a final post that will further broaden your experience and understanding of the application of economics across government, supporting your career development. After the usual end of posting review you will then undertake an assessment to ensure that you meet the requirements for scheme completion and help you to prepare for the next stage of your career.

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