Simon Case, the cabinet secretary, took a four-week medical leave of absence last month and has since informed colleagues that he will not be able to return until 2024. His absence has led to growing disquiet among senior officials that the civil service is leaderless before what is expected to be an election year.
“This is the time when the cabinet secretary’s role is vital,” said one senior Whitehall figure. “It is a difficult period when the civil service has to look both ways at once and prepare for a change in government. The cabinet secretary is meant to lead that work but none of that is happening and no one knows when and even if Simon will return.”
One source told The Times that before he left Case, 44, approached the prime minister and suggested that he should formally authorise pre-election talks between the civil service and Labour.
These talks normally take place between a year and six months before an election and allow officials to begin working up policies based on the priorities of what could be the incoming government.
Sunak is said to have rebuffed his proposal amid fears that it would send a signal to Whitehall that an election was imminent and result in officials “downing tools” and prioritising planning for the next government.
A Downing Street source did not deny that the men had spoken but insisted that Sunak had not blocked the plan, claiming it was a matter for the cabinet secretary and that Labour had to formally ask for access talks to start.
Surely he has a deputy … 
… but I take your point … 