Hybrid working can unlock efficiencies for the taxpayer and greater work life balance for employees, giving the civil service a competitive advantage for talent. That’s why we need to break out of the top down dogmatic approach from Govt. Great piece by @laurencrowley.bsky.social

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

Find efficiency savings or risk the sack, civil servants told Senior officials have been asked to deliver 5 per cent budget cuts. Failure to meet targets will trigger performance plans and potential dismissal

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/...

Job Advert: FDA Assistant General Secretary - FDA An opportunity to join the fastest growing union in the UK.

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.

'Will actions match ambition?' – the FDA's New Year message to the government Real reform is needed in 2025 – and civil servants are ready to deliver it, writes FDA assistant general secretary Lauren Crowley

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:

Letter from Prime Minister Keir Starmer to FDA General Secretary Dave Penman addressing concerns Penman raised over language the Prime Minister used regarding civil servants during his Plan for Change speech.

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.

Civil servants are hungry for reform, but Starmer's 'tepid bath' jibe has done a lot of damage Starmer has undermined the leadership of the civil service in the very week that he appointed a new cabinet secretary

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

Unions slam Starmer’s ‘tepid bath of managed decline’ civil service attack “I don't think the PM understands how damaging his words have been,' warns FDA boss

“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.

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So disappointing to see same tropes rolled out after a lack of direction from those who make the decisions.

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.

Keir Starmer to take aim at Whitehall with new UK ‘mission’ targets Prime minister will outline milestones as he faces plunging poll ratings

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.