What we do matters

People work in government communications because what we do matters. We explain the objectives and policies of the government of the day. We provide clarity and reassurance to the public at times of crisis. We support businesses to grow. We protect our environment. We help those in need to access support.

Our mission is to deliver exceptional public service communication that makes a difference.

Three Government Communications Team Members Walking in Westminster on a sunny day
Two Government Communications Team Members chatting across their desks

The Government Communication Service (GCS) is the professional body for more than 7,000 public service communicators working in government departments, agencies and arm’s length bodies across the UK. Communication is one of the four main levers government has to affect change, alongside legislation, regulation and taxation.

We do this by:

  • Informing people about legal or statutory requirements (tax returns)
  • Helping the public understand changing Government priorities (benefits systems)
  • Encouraging people to change behaviour (tackling violence against women and girls)
  • Letting people know about public services (encouraging voting or what to do in a crisis)
  • Enhancing the reputation of the country by promoting the UK to people overseas

Great People

As set out in the GCS Strategy: Performance with Purpose people are at the heart of GCS and central to achieving the aspirations set out in this strategy. Our five key areas for action are:

  1. Developing our people and raising professional standards: GCS Advance is our new curriculum, tailor-made and unique to government and public sector communicators. GCS Advance will provide the training opportunities you need to build your career in the communications profession.
  2. Attracting, recruiting and retaining talented communicators: for example, through our award-winning, 18-month apprenticeship, combining work in one or more teams with academic study. 
  3. Building brilliant functional leaders: we will focus action on building a strong collective leadership community with the capability to inspire others, lead their teams and be champions for the GCS profession
  4. Creating a diverse and inclusive GCS: we have launched the GCS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, setting out how we will grow diverse, inclusive GCS which communicates brilliantly with everyone
  5. Creating careers across all four corners of the UK: we are developing a GCS locations strategy which will help people to build careers and progress to senior positions in regions across the UK

 

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Communication is changing fast. The transformative power of technology is creating new opportunities, challenges, and ethical questions but great people will always remain at the heart of our work.

Simon BaughChief Executive, Government Communication Service

Great People

Our people are at the heart of GCS and central to achieving the aspirations set out in this strategy.

We cannot communicate effectively with people across the UK unless we draw our talent from every section of society. We want GCS to be an open and inclusive environment where people know that different views, backgrounds and experiences are welcome. That includes creating more opportunities for people to develop their careers outside London if they choose.

You could work in:

  • Data & Insight
  • Digital
  • External Affairs
  • Internal Communications
  • Marketing
  • Media
  • Strategic Communications
Photo of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The photo is overlaid with text that reads

2023/24 UK Government Communication Plan

The 2023/24 UK Government Communication Plan sets out the areas where government communicators can support the effective delivery of government priorities and public services in the year ahead.

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GCS Advance

GCS Advance is our new curriculum, tailor made and unique to government and public sector communicators. GCS Advance will provide the training opportunities you need to build your career in the communications profession.

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GCS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion isn’t a ‘nice to have’. As government communicators, it’s our responsibility to communicate the objectives and policies of the government to an incredibly broad range of audiences. But we will only communicate effectively with our audiences when we draw on, welcome and develop talent from every community.

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