Yesterday’s announcement that 12,000 jobs will move out of London is just the first step. We’ll need to see real thought from the govt about how civil servants can develop careers outside Whitehall from the start to the very top of the civil service, not just moving jobs to hitting numerical targets

Delivering high performance while effectively managing public money isn’t a controversial aim. As mentioned in the Times this morning, our members welcome clear objectives from Ministers which help them deliver for govt- this is always their priority. www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

FDA is not just any union. Protecting & promoting the interests of civil servants & the impartiality of the civil service itself, we’ve grown by 60% over the last decade. This could be your chance to help lead & shape the next decade for us. DM to discuss.

If 2024 was a year of change in name, 2025 needs to be the year of recognisable progress and meaningful reform. @fdaunion.bsky.social's new year's message to the government in @civilserviceworld.bsky.social:

The FDA welcomed the Prime Minister's letter last week responding to the union's concerns over his language regarding civil servants during the PM's Plan for Change speech.

"Tepid Bathgate" needs fixing, and quickly, says the FDA's general secretary Dave Penman www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...

“I don't think the PM understands how damaging his words have been," warns civil service union boss www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...

While we’re on the topic of reform… I wrote for @civilserviceworld.bsky.social this week on why the lack of reform on reward is damaging to the government’s agenda. With a new government and a new cabinet secretary we have a window of opportunity. We need to see leadership, strategy and action.

The govt also won’t motivate staff to deliver more for the country with less resource by publicly attacking them- especially after being promised this wouldn’t happen anymore.

👇

Starmer knows the civil service delivers objectives set by govt - Whitehall's been given little strategy and few resources for change. Yes, push Whitehall to deliver, but don't blame it for govt failings. Our members are as desperate for reform as the public is.

Civil servants will be up for the challenge of reform if it has the people, resources, skills, capability and an effective reward strategy to enable them to deliver it. Expecting delivery of reform without looking at the workforce itself will be an entirely futile exercise.