Government Economics Service Fast Stream 2027

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

The specific towns and cities depend on the department you are posted to and its office locations. The Fast Stream evolves continually, so postings can vary from year to year.

As an indication, in 2026 new fast streamers were posted to government offices in the following regions: East Midlands, Greater London, North East, North West, Scotland, South West, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber.

On occasion, some individuals may need to move location. We aim to align postings with your preferences whenever possible; however, final decisions must support our wider business needs. Please note that Fast Streamers cannot choose their department or their specific role.

The Government Economics Service champions economics in government: supporting our economists and promoting the use of high-quality and high-impact economic analysis in policy making. We have a large cross-government presence, with more than 3,700 members across the UK. The Fast Stream is a great way to join!

As a Government Economic Service fast streamer you will be involved in important current issues, using analysis 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

Climate and environment

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

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

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

There are several phases in the Fast Stream application process. Some of these assessments are multimedia in that they present information in video, audio, graphical or visual formats, as well as text. We hope you find it an engaging process and one that gives you a real insight into the role of a fast streamer.

At the initial application stage you will be asked to complete some background information which will include some diversity questions - which are for monitoring purposes only and will have no bearing on selection outcomes - along with the opportunity to identify your preferences in terms of the different Fast Stream schemes. You can choose up to three.

When you apply please register with a personal email address, and not a work or university email address.

Assessment Phases

There are 2 online tests:

Work-based scenarios - This test measures interpersonal skills, utilising video based scenarios and you are required to assess the effectiveness of various responses.

Case Study assessment - In this test you are required to take work based scenarios on an imaginary role, learning and responding to a series of challenges and situations and adapting to the changes you are presented with.

Additional information - depending on the schemes you have chosen, there may be additional information to be completed, or an intermediate sift process. More information on the schemes that require additional information can be found https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/fast-stream/fs-how-to-apply/fs-additional-information/

Fast Stream Assessment Centre - if you pass the above stages you'll be invited to attend a half day assessment centre. This will be conducted virtually online. The Fast Stream Assessment Centre (FSAC) reflects some of the key elements of a Fast Stream role and will consist of a written exercise, oral briefing exercise and a personal development conversation. Information will be presented via an app that you will be able to access remotely.

Final Selection Board - most schemes will then require a Final Selection Board . We'll ask you to attend this final assessment if you reach the required standard at FSAC. More information on the Final Selection Boards can be found https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/fast-stream/fs-how-to-apply/fs-final-selection-board/

The Civil Service Fast Stream is committed to supporting you through the application process by offering a range of reasonable adjustments. For further information about reasonable adjustments through the Fast Stream application process, please visit our dedicated page - https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/fast-stream/fs-how-to-apply/fs-reasonable-adjustments/

If you need to contact us, please submit a request for help https://fsetatso.freshdesk.com/support/home

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.