Hubbry Logo
Tom ScholarTom ScholarMain
Open search
Tom Scholar
Community hub
Tom Scholar
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Tom Scholar
Tom Scholar
Tom Scholar
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Sir Thomas Whinfield Scholar GCB (born 17 December 1968) is a former British civil servant, who served as Permanent Secretary to the Treasury from 2016 to 2022.[1] Following his exit from the UK Civil Service in September 2022, Scholar began to take up non-executive directorships in the private sector, including as chair of Santander UK from August 2025.[2] As a civil servant, Scholar held multiple roles across various governments, including as an adviser on European and global issues in the Cabinet Office from 2013 to 2016, a director of Northern Rock post its nationalisation in 2008 and as chief of staff for Gordon Brown from mid 2007 to January 2008.[3][4]

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Scholar was educated at Dulwich College (1979–1986),[3] Trinity Hall, Cambridge (where he read History[5]), and the London School of Economics.[3]

He is the son of Sir Michael Scholar, who was Permanent Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry between 1996 and 2001.[6] He has two younger brothers, Richard and John (who is a lecturer in English literature at the University of Reading and worked at the Treasury).[7]

Career

[edit]

Scholar joined HM Treasury in 1992, rising to Principal Private Secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1997, serving Gordon Brown until 2001. Following that posting, Scholar served as the British representative on the boards of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, attached to the British Embassy in Washington as Minister for Economic Affairs for six years.[3]

In 2007, following Brown's taking over the leadership of the Labour Party and thus the office of Prime Minister, Scholar returned to the UK, taking over the two roles of Downing Street Chief of Staff from Jonathan Powell and Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister from Oliver Robbins.[3] After six months, Scholar left Number 10 to return to the Treasury as the Managing Director of its International and Finance Directorate in January 2008. The next year, Scholar was promoted to be the Second Permanent Secretary at the Treasury, taking over from John Kingman.[8] In this role, Scholar was a director of the nationalised bank, Northern Rock.[9]

Four years later, in 2013, Scholar returned to Downing Street, now under David Cameron, to run the European and Global Issues Secretariat in the Cabinet Office and was the Prime Minister's most senior adviser on international affairs.[10] As of September 2015, Scholar was paid a salary of between £150,000 and £154,999, making him one of the 328 most highly paid people in the British public sector at that time.[11]

In March 2016, the government announced that Scholar would succeed Sir Nick Macpherson as Permanent Secretary to the Treasury in April 2016.[12] Scholar was replaced at the Cabinet Office by Oliver Robbins, who took over the role as a "post-Brexit" unit in June 2016,[13] which the next month became the Department for Exiting the European Union when Theresa May created her first Cabinet.[14]

He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2017 Birthday Honours[15] and promoted to Knight Grand Cross of the same Order (GCB) by King Charles III in the 2023 New Year Honours.[16]

Scholar was removed from his position as permanent secretary to the Treasury by Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng on 8 September 2022, a move criticised by former senior civil servants including Gus O'Donnell and Robin Butler.[17][18][19] Following the sacking, Dave Penman, General Secretary of the FDA, accused Truss of conducting an "ideological purge" of top officials.[19]

In December 2023 he was appointed as non-executive chair of Nomura Europe Holdings plc, Nomura International plc and Nomura Bank International plc, subsidiaries of Nomura Holdings.[20]

In May 2025, Scholar was appointed as non-executive director of Santander UK and later assumed the role of chair in August 2025, replacing William Vereker.[21]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Tom Scholar

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Sir Tom Scholar GCB is a British civil servant and banker who served as of from 2016 to 2022. In this role, he advised successive governments on economic and during periods of significant upheaval, including the and the response. Prior to his Treasury leadership, Scholar held senior positions such as the UK's Executive Director at the and World Bank from 2001 to 2007, and served as a principal and economic adviser in No. . Scholar's tenure ended abruptly in September 2022 when he was dismissed by the incoming , a move linked to the government's push for rapid fiscal reforms following the mini-budget announcement that precipitated market turmoil. The dismissal drew criticism for potentially politicizing the but was defended by some as necessary to align operations with the administration's growth agenda. Following his departure, Scholar received a compensation package of approximately £335,000, reflecting standard severance for senior officials. Since leaving public service, Scholar has transitioned to the , assuming non-executive roles in ; he was appointed non-executive chair of Nomura International in December 2023 and became chair of in 2025, leveraging his expertise in economic policymaking and banking regulation.

Early Life and Education

Upbringing and Family

Tom Scholar is the eldest of three sons born to Sir Michael Scholar, a career civil servant born in , , on 3 January 1942, who held senior roles including at the Welsh Office (1990–1996) and the Department of Trade and Industry (1996–2001), and Dr. Angela Scholar (née Sweet), a physician whom Sir Michael married in 1964. The family background emphasized public service, with Sir Michael's trajectory through departments from the 1970s onward providing a model of bureaucratic progression that Scholar later emulated. Little public detail exists on Scholar's precise early childhood circumstances, though his attendance at , an independent boys' school in , from 1979 to 1986 suggests a stable, middle-to-upper-class upbringing in or near the capital, aligned with his father's professional postings. Scholar's two younger brothers have maintained lower public profiles, with no notable involvement in government or policy roles documented in available records. The family's emphasis on and discipline, reflective of Sir Michael's own scholarly interests—he later became Warden of (2002–2006)—likely influenced Scholar's path into .

Academic and Early Professional Influences

Scholar received his secondary education at from 1979 to 1986. He then pursued undergraduate studies at Trinity Hall, , earning a BA, followed by an MA in from the London School of Economics. This academic foundation in economics equipped him with rigorous training in macroeconomic theory, analysis, and quantitative methods, which became central to his subsequent career in . Born on December 17, 1968, into a family with deep roots—his father, Sir Michael Scholar, served in senior roles from the 1970s to the early 2000s—Scholar's early professional path reflected familial influences toward . He entered in 1992 as a junior official, initially focusing on economic forecasting, general expenditure policy, and management. These roles exposed him to the intricacies of fiscal planning and international financial coordination, fostering a commitment to evidence-based policymaking amid economic uncertainties of the early , including post-ERM crisis recovery. By 1997, Scholar advanced to principal private secretary to Chancellor Gordon Brown, a position that immersed him in high-level decision-making during the Labour government's shift to fiscal prudence and the adoption of Bank of England independence. This early advisory experience under Brown, known for emphasizing fiscal rules and long-term stability, likely reinforced Scholar's adherence to orthodox economic principles, such as deficit control and monetary credibility, which characterized his later Treasury tenure. From 2001 to 2007, he served as the UK's Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Washington, D.C., gaining global perspectives on sovereign debt, development finance, and crisis response, further solidifying his expertise in multilateral economic governance.

Civil Service Career

Initial Roles and International Experience

Scholar joined HM Treasury in 1992, embarking on a career within the British civil service focused on economic and financial policy. By 1997, he had risen to serve as Principal Private Secretary to Chancellor Gordon Brown, providing direct support during the early years of the Labour government's fiscal management. Scholar's international experience began in 2001 when he was appointed the United Kingdom's Executive Director at the (IMF) and the World Bank, roles in which he represented British interests in multilateral discussions on global finance and development from , until 2007. Upon returning to the , he briefly held the positions of and Principal to from mid-2007 to early 2008. In January 2008, Scholar rejoined as Managing Director of the International and Finance Directorate, directing policy on international economic relations and financial markets.

Senior Advisory Positions

Prior to his appointment as at , Scholar held several senior advisory roles within the , focusing on international economic and European affairs. From 2013 to 2016, he served as the head of the European and Global Issues Secretariat (EGIS) in the , where he acted as the Prime Minister's senior adviser on European and global issues. In this position, Scholar also functioned as the 's Sherpa, leading preparatory negotiations for international summits, including those related to the referendum campaign under Prime Minister . Earlier in his career, between 2001 and 2007, Scholar represented the United Kingdom as Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Washington, D.C. This role involved advising on multilateral economic policy, contributing to decisions on global financial stability, and coordinating the UK's positions during key IMF and World Bank deliberations, including responses to emerging market crises. His tenure there built on prior Treasury experience, emphasizing analytical input into international lending and surveillance programs. Scholar also provided high-level advice in domestic roles, such as serving as and Principal to from 2007 to 2008, during which he supported fiscal and economic strategy amid the early stages of the global financial crisis. These positions underscored his expertise in bridging with executive decision-making, often involving direct counsel to political leaders on complex macroeconomic challenges.

Permanent Secretary at HM Treasury

Tom Scholar was appointed Permanent Secretary to HM Treasury on 11 March 2016, succeeding Sir Nicholas Macpherson upon his retirement. The appointment followed an open competition process, with Scholar selected for his extensive prior experience, including serving as Second Permanent Secretary at the Treasury from 2009 to 2013 and as the Prime Minister's Adviser on European and Global Issues from 2013 to 2016. Chancellor George Osborne described him as "an outstanding civil servant" with expertise on major national challenges, while Cabinet Secretary Jeremy Heywood praised his advisory capabilities across domestic and international Treasury business. In the role, Scholar acted as the most senior civil servant at , providing advice to ministers on economic, fiscal, and financial matters, overseeing departmental operations, and functioning as the principal officer accountable to for the stewardship of public funds and value for money in spending decisions. His responsibilities encompassed leading the implementation of government , managing relations with , and ensuring the department's strategic direction amid evolving fiscal priorities. Scholar commenced duties in July 2016 and was reappointed in January 2021 for a second five-year term, extending his leadership through periods of significant economic turbulence. During his tenure, which lasted until September 2022, he maintained institutional continuity at the , drawing on over two decades of experience in , , and high-level advisory roles.

Policy Engagements and Decisions

Brexit Contingency Planning and Negotiations

As of from July 2016, Tom Scholar oversaw the department's contributions to -related economic analysis and financial negotiations following the June 23, 2016, result in favor of leaving the EU. Prior to his appointment, announced on March 11, 2016, Scholar had served as head of the European and Global Issues Secretariat, acting as the Prime Minister's adviser on European matters and as a "sherpa" in pre- talks with EU counterparts on reforms sought by David Cameron's government. In the immediate aftermath of the , Scholar faced scrutiny from MPs on July 7, 2016, regarding HM 's absence of contingency plans for a Leave outcome. He testified that no such preparations had been made, aligning with cross-government policy to avoid signaling doubt in the Remain campaign or implying an inevitable defeat, which could have influenced voter behavior or prompted market instability. This stance drew criticism for leaving the unprepared for administrative challenges, such as rewriting laws and assessing trade impacts, though post-referendum planning commenced rapidly across , including assessments of fiscal risks. Scholar's primary involvement shifted to negotiations on the UK's financial obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement, where he led HM Treasury's negotiating team. This culminated in a December 2018 political agreement on the financial settlement, estimated at approximately £39 billion in terms, covering commitments like budget contributions, pensions, and contingent liabilities. In April 2018 parliamentary evidence, he defended the robustness of the Treasury's methodology, emphasizing caps on liabilities and stress-testing against scenarios like early EU asset sales. The settlement avoided open-ended exposures but faced debate over its scale, with some viewing it as a pragmatic limit on uncapped risks while others, including proponents, criticized it as an overly generous concession.

Fiscal Response to COVID-19

As to from 2016 to 2022, Tom Scholar led the department's efforts in crafting and executing the UK's fiscal response to the , which involved unprecedented levels of government intervention to avert . Under his oversight, the collaborated with to design support schemes rapidly following the onset of lockdowns in March 2020, prioritizing speed to maintain business liquidity and employment amid high uncertainty and limited pre-existing planning for a pandemic's economic shock. Scholar emphasized that policies were developed "as we have gone along," drawing on infrastructure from the but admitting to scant prior preparation despite pandemics being flagged on the National Risk Register. Key measures included the (furlough), launched on 20 March 2020, which subsidized up to 80% of wages for furloughed workers and ultimately supported 11.7 million jobs at a cost of £70 billion by November 2020, covering over a third of the before tapering and ending in 2021. Complementary initiatives encompassed the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), providing grants to 2.9 million self-employed individuals totaling £30.1 billion by October 2022, though initial exclusions for new entrants highlighted data limitations; and business support such as the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) and Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), with guarantees exceeding £92 billion by mid-2021 to prevent 0.5–2.9 million job losses. These efforts, exceeding £100 billion in direct economic support, were extended iteratively—furlough multiple times, including after delays tied to optimistic recovery projections—with Scholar's team analyzing non-pharmaceutical interventions to inform tiered restrictions and conditionality from late 2020. The overall fiscal outlay reached an estimated £372 billion by May , encompassing health, local authority, and broader expenditures, with Scholar testifying to that this figure could rise further due to ongoing uncertainties and unquantified liabilities like loan write-offs projected at £26 billion. As accounting officer, he commissioned cross-government audits in to assess scheme , amid challenges including risks—later estimated in billions across programs—and exclusions that left gaps for certain sectors, underscoring trade-offs between rapid deployment and precision targeting. While these interventions mitigated mass and GDP contraction estimated at 10% in , they contributed to net surpassing 100% of GDP by year-end, with defending the approach as necessary for economic stabilization despite critiques of insufficient integrated health-economic modeling.

Adherence to Fiscal Orthodoxy

During his tenure as at from 2016 to 2022, Tom Scholar upheld the department's traditional emphasis on fiscal , prioritizing compliance with the UK's fiscal rules that mandate public sector net debt falling as a share of GDP within five years and the current budget moving into balance over the economic cycle. This approach involved rigorous scrutiny of borrowing plans, particularly after the elevated public debt to over 100% of GDP by 2020, with Scholar overseeing Treasury advice to on measures like the 2021 tax rises—adding £25 billion annually by 2026—to ensure rule compliance by the mid-2020s. Scholar's commitment manifested in Treasury resistance to policies deviating from these constraints, including early warnings to incoming Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng about the market risks of unfunded tax cuts exceeding £45 billion, which echoed orthodox concerns over bond market reactions and pension fund vulnerabilities. These advisories, rooted in empirical assessments of fiscal headroom and historical precedents like the 2010 eurozone crisis, aligned with the Office for Budget Responsibility's independent projections but were disregarded in the September 2022 mini-budget, which suspended routine forecasting and rule adherence. The sacking of Scholar on 8 September 2022, shortly after Liz Truss's appointment as , was framed by her administration as a deliberate break from " orthodoxy," which Truss attributed to stifling through excessive caution on and taxation. Critics within government circles, including former ministers, viewed this orthodoxy under Scholar as overly restrictive, potentially blocking supply-side reforms, yet subsequent market turmoil— including a 15% gilt yield spike and intervention—validated the risks highlighted by analysis. Scholar's prior roles, such as UK at the IMF where he endorsed fiscal rules as market-stabilizing principles, reinforced this consistent prioritization of long-term solvency over short-term stimulus.

Dismissal and Immediate Aftermath

Events Leading to Removal

In the leadership contest to succeed as , positioned herself against what she described as entrenched " orthodoxy," attributing the UK's sluggish to overly cautious fiscal policies and regulatory constraints. She pledged a radical shift toward supply-side reforms, including and cuts, to stimulate growth, explicitly criticizing the influence of senior officials in perpetuating these constraints. won the Conservative Party leadership on September 5, 2022, and was appointed by the King on September 6, 2022. On the same day, appointed as , signaling an intent to overhaul economic policymaking at . , who had served as since September 2016 and overseen major fiscal interventions including preparations and the response, was viewed by the incoming administration as emblematic of the orthodox approach they sought to displace. No formal performance review or specific misconduct was cited; the decision aligned with 's campaign rhetoric to install leadership more receptive to aggressive growth strategies. Kwarteng dismissed Scholar on September 8, 2022—his second day in office—with immediate effect, bypassing standard protocols for transitions, which typically involve consultation with the . Scholar's departure statement emphasized the Chancellor's preference for "new leadership to deliver the government's growth mission," while critics within the and opposition argued it risked politicizing neutral advice. The move preceded Kwarteng's mini-budget announcement on September 23, 2022, which included unfunded tax cuts, underscoring the Treasury's anticipated role in executing the government's divergence from prior fiscal restraint.

Severance and Financial Implications

Upon his dismissal as of on 6 September 2022, Tom Scholar received a severance payment of £335,000 designated for "loss of office," as detailed in the department's and accounts for the financial year 2022-23. This payment formed the core of the compensation package awarded under terms for senior officials removed from post without misconduct. In addition to the severance, Scholar was granted £122,000 covering accrued annual leave entitlements, compensation in lieu of notice, and related adjustments, bringing the total financial outlay by to approximately £457,000. These elements aligned with standard protocols for permanent secretaries, who typically serve on fixed-term contracts renewable at ministerial discretion, though the abrupt termination—occurring on Kwasi Kwarteng's first day—drew scrutiny over the absence of performance-related deductions. The Treasury's accounts, published in July 2023, confirmed Scholar's overall remuneration for the partial year exceeded £550,000 when including pro-rated salary, pension benefits, and the exit payments. The payout sparked debate regarding fiscal responsibility, with critics highlighting the taxpayer burden amid the incoming government's emphasis on spending restraint; for instance, it contributed to broader concerns about aggregate severance costs during the 2022 political transitions totaling millions. Proponents of the arrangement, however, maintained it preserved independence by ensuring protections against politically motivated removals without . No legal challenges or repayments were pursued, reflecting the contractual norms that prioritize continuity in high-level appointments over fiscal adjustments.

Controversies and Viewpoints

Criticisms of Policy Conservatism

Critics, including and , have portrayed Tom Scholar as emblematic of HM Treasury's entrenched fiscal orthodoxy, which they argued perpetuated by prioritizing debt sustainability over aggressive growth measures. , during her leadership campaign, repeatedly attributed the UK's sluggish productivity growth—averaging around 0.5% annually in the decade prior to 2022—to this "Treasury orthodoxy," characterized by rigid adherence to fiscal rules that constrained borrowing for tax cuts or infrastructure investment. Kwarteng's decision to dismiss Scholar on September 8, 2022, was framed as a deliberate break from this caution, enabling the mini-budget's unfunded tax reductions aimed at boosting supply-side incentives. Former Treasury minister Lord Agnew amplified these critiques, describing Scholar's tenure as exerting a "malign influence" through the department's orthodoxies, which he witnessed firsthand during his stint from 2020 to 2022. Agnew argued in a September 2022 Times article that Scholar's exemplified a culture overly focused on and short-term fiscal balancing, sidelining enterprise-driven policies and contributing to complacency on issues like loan fraud, where an estimated £5.8 billion was lost due to inadequate safeguards. This conservatism, critics contended, manifested in resistance to or monetary-fiscal coordination that could spur private investment, instead favoring academic-inspired models emphasizing deficit reduction even amid low growth. Broader commentary, such as in The Telegraph, accused the Treasury under Scholar of harboring an inherent bias against growth, undervaluing free enterprise and over-relying on demographic determinism to justify modest GDP projections—forecasting UK world GDP share decline to 1.6% by 2050—while dismissing bolder reforms as fiscally imprudent. These views posit that such policy conservatism not only entrenched low investment rates, with UK gross fixed capital formation at about 17% of GDP in 2021 compared to the OECD average of 23%, but also insulated the civil service from political accountability for persistent underperformance.

Defenses of Institutional Neutrality

Former Cabinet Secretary Lord Butler argued that the dismissal of Tom Scholar on September 8, 2022, by Chancellor posed a risk to the politicization of the , emphasizing its role as serving the rather than transient governments and describing the action as "very unusual and very regrettable." Similarly, former head Lord Kerslake characterized the removal as marking a "shift away from impartial advice," labeling it "retrograde and worrying" and a "disgraceful" departure from the tradition of civil servants providing frank, evidence-based counsel irrespective of ministerial preferences. These defenses align with the Code's core values of , , objectivity, and , which require permanent secretaries to serve any administration equally without favoring specific policies or ideologies. Proponents, including former permanent secretaries, contended that Scholar exemplified this neutrality by delivering consistent fiscal analysis during preparations and the response, rather than obstructing elected officials; they warned that his ousting signaled tolerance for replacing experts with those more aligned to a government's agenda, potentially eroding institutional independence. , another ex-Cabinet Secretary, echoed this by stating the move compromised the civil service's ability to offer unbiased guidance, particularly at a time of economic turbulence. The Institute for Government highlighted that such actions could deter civil servants from providing "uncomfortable" but necessary advice, framing institutional neutrality as essential for long-term governance stability over short-term political expediency. In parliamentary scrutiny, the House of Lords Constitution Committee report on permanent secretary appointments underscored impartiality as a foundational principle, noting Scholar's case as illustrative of tensions where perceived policy resistance is misconstrued as bias, thereby advocating safeguards like formal processes for removals to preserve neutrality. These viewpoints, often from establishment figures within the civil service alumni network, prioritize empirical continuity and causal accountability in policy advice, though critics from reform-oriented perspectives question whether entrenched orthodoxy in bodies like the Treasury inherently deviates from true impartiality due to systemic preferences for status quo fiscal rules.

Broader Implications for Civil Service Reform

The dismissal of Tom Scholar on September 8, 2022, by Prime Minister and Chancellor intensified longstanding debates over the balance between ministerial accountability and permanence in the UK. Critics, including former Lord Robin Butler, argued that removing a senior official perceived as providing continuity and expertise risked politicizing the , potentially eroding its tradition of impartial advice and creating a on officials wary of offering unwelcome counsel. This perspective, echoed by figures like Lord Bob Kerslake, framed the action as a departure from norms where permanent secretaries are dismissed only for personal misconduct, not policy alignment, thereby threatening institutional safeguards against hasty decisions. Conversely, proponents of reform viewed Scholar's exit as an overdue challenge to entrenched fiscal orthodoxy within the , where civil servants had been accused of prioritizing caution over elected mandates, as evidenced by contingency planning during that some ministers saw as undermining government policy. The move aligned with Truss's campaign pledge to overhaul resistance to growth-oriented fiscal policies, suggesting a need for greater ministerial leverage over top appointments to ensure alignment with democratic outcomes rather than bureaucratic inertia. This tension reflects broader causal dynamics: unelected officials' influence can constrain policy innovation, as seen in historical resistance to supply-side reforms, prompting calls for mechanisms like performance-based reviews or expanded special adviser roles to enhance responsiveness without full politicization. In response, the Constitution Committee initiated an inquiry in March 2023 into the appointment and dismissal processes for permanent secretaries, directly citing Scholar's case to examine risks of perceived politicization while probing whether current safeguards unduly insulate underperforming officials. The episode has fueled discussions on targeted reforms, such as formalizing ministerial vetoes on appointments or mandating adherence to manifesto commitments, though empirical outcomes remain limited, with no sweeping legislative changes enacted by late 2023. These implications underscore a core reform dilemma: preserving expertise against short-term political pressures versus enabling governments to execute voter-endorsed agendas, with Scholar's removal serving as a flashpoint rather than a definitive catalyst.

Post-Dismissal Career and Assessments

Transition to Think Tank Role

Following his abrupt removal as of on 6 September 2022, Sir Tom Scholar, who had served in the role since July 2016, sought appointments outside government subject to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) oversight for former Crown servants. In this capacity, he applied for and received approval for an unpaid, part-time position as a Member of the Board at Bruegel, a Brussels-based independent focused on European , , and global . The Bruegel board role, formalized with ACOBA advice issued on 1 December 2023, entails strategic responsibilities including approving the think tank's overall strategy, programme, and budget, but excludes any direct involvement in or for specific research findings. This followed a mandatory three-month cooling-off period from his last day in service, with additional restrictions barring Scholar from drawing on privileged information gained during his tenure or lobbying the government on Bruegel's behalf for two years post-approval. These conditions aimed to mitigate risks of perceived conflicts or from his prior access to sensitive UK fiscal and details. Scholar's move to Bruegel aligned with his prior expertise in international economic coordination, including his service as the Prime Minister's Adviser on European and global economic affairs from 2013 to 2016, positioning him to contribute to non-partisan analysis of macroeconomic challenges without operational duties. This engagement marked an initial post-dismissal pivot toward institutional governance in policy research, preceding subsequent private-sector appointments such as roles at financial institutions.

Evaluations of Legacy

Scholar's tenure as Permanent Secretary to from 2016 to 2022 is often evaluated as a period of steadfast institutional stewardship amid economic turbulence, including the , the , and post-pandemic recovery efforts. Supporters, including Chancellor in his announcement of Scholar's departure, credited him with guiding the through major challenges such as the 2008 financial crisis's aftermath and the unprecedented fiscal demands of the , where the department coordinated extensive support schemes totaling hundreds of billions in borrowing and guarantees. Former colleagues and observers, such as those in commentary, have described him as one of the most capable civil servants of his generation, emphasizing his prior roles in at the IMF and World Bank, which informed a pragmatic approach to global shocks. Critics, however, portray Scholar's legacy as emblematic of entrenched " orthodoxy"—a preference for fiscal restraint, rule-based budgeting, and skepticism toward supply-side reforms that they argue stifled economic dynamism. Lord Agnew, a former minister, lambasted Scholar's influence as malign, claiming it obstructed initiatives like funding and perpetuated a culture prioritizing expenditure control over growth-oriented policies, a view echoed in assessments of the department's resistance to deviating from conventional multipliers and cost-benefit analyses. This perspective gained traction during the 2022 mini-budget crisis, where his removal was framed by the Truss administration as essential to breaking free from such , though subsequent market turmoil complicated attributions of causality. In broader terms, Scholar's abrupt dismissal on 8 September has cast his legacy as a flashpoint in debates over accountability and politicization, with defenders arguing it exemplified undue ministerial interference in neutral expertise, while proponents saw it as overdue for unelected officials shaping . Post-tenure roles, including non-executive positions at Nomura from January 2024, suggest enduring credibility in financial markets, where his experience in continues to be valued. Empirical outcomes under his watch—such as public sector net debt rising to approximately 98% of GDP by March amid spending—underscore a legacy of fiscal expansion balanced against sustainability concerns, though causal links to long-term growth remain contested given external factors like global inflation and supply disruptions.

References

  1. https://www.bruegel.org/people/tom-scholar
  2. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/scholar-tom-permanent-secretary-his-majestys-treasury-acoba-advice
  3. https://www.thegeforum.com/speakers/sir-tom-scholar
  4. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66257579
  5. https://www.nomuraholdings.com/en/news/nr/news20231201103023.html
  6. https://www.santander.co.uk/about-santander/media-centre/press-releases/santander-announce-sir-tom-scholar-as-its-next-chair
  7. https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmtreasy/934/93412.htm
  8. https://www.civilserviceworld.com/in-depth/article/the-treasurys-new-permanent-secretary-starts-today-so-who-is-tom-scholar
  9. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/08/13/meet-mandarin-liz-trusss-sights-takes-treasury-orthodoxy/
  10. https://prolificlondon.co.uk/tom-scholar/
  11. https://www.imf.org/external/np/exr/ecforums/2005/110405.htm
  12. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-permanent-secretary-to-the-treasury-announced
  13. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/mar/11/tom-scholar-appointed-as-treasury-permanent-secretary
  14. https://www.globalgovernmentforum.com/tom-scholar-appointed-new-permanent-secretary-of-uk-treasury/
  15. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/1576448/Gordon-Browns-right-hand-man-departs.html
  16. https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/downing-street-chief-staff
  17. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/additional-second-permanent-secretary-at-the-treasury
  18. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2008/jan/23/whitehall.uk
  19. https://www.assetservicingtimes.com/assetservicesnews/peoplemovesarticle.php?article_id=15115
  20. https://www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/article/new-treasury-permanent-secretary-tom-scholar-named-as-sir-nick-macphersons-successor
  21. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-treasury/about/our-governance
  22. https://www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/article/treasury-perm-sec-tom-scholar-reappointed
  23. https://www.ft.com/content/f5797e2a-444d-11e6-b22f-79eb4891c97d
  24. https://www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/article/new-treasury-perm-sec-tom-scholar-grilled-over-brexit-contingency-planning
  25. https://www.wsj.com/articles/britains-civil-service-confronts-brexit-unprepared-1468004403
  26. https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/7849/html/
  27. https://www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/article/treasury-chiefs-defend-brexit-bill-estimate-following-nao-warning
  28. https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmpubacc/973/973.pdf
  29. https://www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/article/pac-chair-dumbstruck-as-perm-secs-admit-lack-of-economic-planning-for-a-pandemic
  30. https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/sites/default/files/2023-04/treasury-during-covid.pdf
  31. https://obr.uk/efo/economic-and-fiscal-outlook-november-2020
  32. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme-interim-evaluation
  33. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9625131/Top-Treasury-official-warns-372billion-Government-spending-Covid-pandemic-RISE.html
  34. https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/9162/documents/159672/default/
  35. https://www.ft.com/content/b75f3df7-f421-4259-a89c-1fdf33c638e1
  36. https://news.sky.com/story/kwasi-kwarteng-warned-mini-budget-could-trigger-market-backlash-say-treasury-officials-12767125
  37. https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/comment/kwarteng-and-truss-show-perils-disregarding-economic-institutions
  38. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/sep/13/how-is-liz-trusss-government-challenging-treasury-orthodoxy
  39. https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/tory-peer-savages-tom-scholar/
  40. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-66897881
  41. https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/002/2003/048/article-A004-en.xml
  42. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-62869880
  43. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/08/tom-scholar-permanent-secretary-to-the-treasury-sacked-by-liz-truss
  44. https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2022/09/kwasi-kwarteng-sacking-tom-scholar-chancellor
  45. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-08/uk-s-treasury-top-civil-servant-sacked-in-attack-on-orthodoxy
  46. https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5803/ldselect/ldconst/258/25807.htm
  47. https://www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/article/tom-scholar-sacking-treasury-perm-sec-not-normal-james-bowler
  48. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/sep/14/kwasi-kwarteng-sacking-tom-scholar-marks-shift-away-from-impartial-advice
  49. https://ukandeu.ac.uk/sacking-tom-scholar-a-move-that-undermines-the-treasury-the-civil-service-and-the-government/
  50. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/07/20/kwasi-kwarteng-tom-scholar-sacked-payout-severance/
  51. https://www.civilserviceworld.com/news/article/tom-scholar-sacking-cost-treasury-almost-500k-annual-accounts-reveal
  52. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/chris-pincher-kwasi-kwarteng-treasury-tories-government-b2378823.html
  53. https://www.ft.com/content/314c7d00-1f82-4270-8862-4c75a2e7579b
  54. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-20/top-uk-treasury-official-fired-by-truss-paid-335-000-severance
  55. https://www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/article/ministers-sidestep-calls-for-tougher-rules-to-govern-permsec-sackings
  56. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-63838387
  57. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/sep/11/sacking-tom-scholar-risks-politicising-civils-service-says-lord-butler
  58. https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/kwarteng-axes-top-treasury-civil-servant/
  59. https://www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/article/ex-minister-lord-agnew-rips-into-treasury-permanent-secretary-tom-scholar-over-covid-fraud-complacency
  60. https://ukandeu.ac.uk/time-to-take-on-the-treasury-orthodoxy/
  61. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/09/12/sir-tom-scholars-exit-should-just-start-need-political-treasury/
  62. https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/whitehall-monitor-2024/part-2
  63. https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/41636/documents/206273/default/
  64. https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/politicisation-of-the-civil-service/
  65. https://www.globalgovernmentforum.com/uk-cabinet-secretary-failing-to-stand-up-for-the-values-of-the-civil-service-as-pm-removes-treasury-chief/
  66. https://www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/news/national/21508884.sacking-treasury-official-retrograde-worrying-says-ex-whitehall-chief/
  67. https://www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/article/constitution-committee-inquiry-perm-secs-appointment-dismissal-tom-scholar
  68. https://consoc.org.uk/politicisiation-of-the-civil-service-hlcc-report/
  69. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/scholar-tom-permanent-secretary-his-majestys-treasury-acoba-advice/advice-letter-tom-scholar-member-of-the-board-bruegel
  70. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/chancellor-liz-truss-civil-service-kwasi-kwarteng-dave-penman-b2162948.html
  71. https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/economics/article/pm-was-right-to-sack-tom-scholar-from-the-treasury-lldjlngxj
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.