No 10 keen to kickstart search for cabinet secretary’s successor

Downing Street impatient to begin recruiting, while Simon Case has yet to make his departure plans official

Downing Street is pushing to launch the formal search for a new cabinet secretary within the next month amid frustration with Simon Case, who is yet to officially announce his departure.

Case has acknowledged he intends to leave in the new year due to health reasons, but the lack of a formal announcement means No 10 has not been able to kickstart the hunt for a successor. One Downing Street source said the government would like to begin the process imminently.