Best way to climb the IT management ladder at government?

With the budget cuts and restrictions it's looking grim for opportunities moving upwards.

Would leaving for the private sector and moving back after a couple of years make sense in this case?

I'm personally not factoring in pension and benefits, it's not my priority.

And it's not that the private sector is doing much better, but there's definitely a bigger pool of opportunities there. If I can unlock a move upwards in the private sector, should I move?

Thoughts?