I was struck by this paragraph in particular on civil service reform - screams "we want something different" but whispers "we haven't really worked out what" so let's sack some senior civil servants now and work the rest out later... 
https://twitter.com/SebastianEPayne/status/1314113836606255104
So many problems with reforming a big organisation (and I've worked for a few) - you need a clear vision with wide support, leaders from within who can be the change, and reform of many 'boring' areas like assessment. I don't see any of these in the government's plans.
The civil service has plenty of issues widely recognised, including poor management, lack of detailed expertise, and endemic bullying linked to an insider / outsider culture. But it feels like the government's idea of reforms is just to have a few more people who think like them.
In any case we shall over time see how the civil service reforms play out. But I suspect big talk and less action, because ultimately it requires a lot of effort for something that is in no way a political priority. Even if actually there is much that could be done.
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