Mr Ralphs, who has been in post since November 2023, has stood down due to a family bereavement.

Savings will be from back office and administrative roles rather than front-line services, chancellor tells the BBC.

Purchases include £2,500 spent at a women's shoe shop in Barbados and £1,200 on luxury coffee pods.

Sir Keir's argument overlaps with the former PM's - that the proliferation of arm's length bodies slow down change.

The PM writes to officials, telling them they "must be enabled to re-focus on your core purpose".

Measures including linking the pay of senior civil servants to performance are expected to be unveiled this week.

An office complex bringing 7,000 Civil Service jobs to Manchester has been given planning consent.