#FDAADC25

And not gone up for well over decade, and we all know what's happening to food, fuel and travel costs in last few years

Folk shouldn't be out of pocket just doing their jobs
#FDAADC25

Lewis Goodall sits at wooden panel desk, head resting on chin, and grin on face Behind the FDA conference display

Fascinating and entertaining input by @lewisgoodall.com to #FDAADC25
Though not sure what question was asked that created this photo ?

Chloé François-Oatway is presented with the 2025 FDA Wendy Jones Equality Award by Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office Georgia Gould MP at the FDA Annual Delegate Conference 2025.

Chloé François-Oatway is presented with the 2025 FDA Wendy Jones Equality Award for her work as a “true champion of equality”, particularly around reasonable adjustments.

Chloe received the award from Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office Georgia Gould at #FDAADC25

Georgia Gould says the civil service is “an amazing constitution, but it can get in the way. It’s set up for a slower, less complex world, it’s more hierarchical. Departments are far too siloed when all the challenges we face are deeply complex.” #FDAADC25

Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office Georgia Gould MP gives a speech to the FDA Annual Delegate Conference 2025.

@georgiagould.bsky.social tells #FDAADC25 she wants “to say a personal thank you to civil servants, it’s been a seamless transition and I know all the work that’s gone into making this happen. As a new MP I’ve been so grateful for the support, there’s so much depth of knowledge on every issue.”

#FDAADC25

Calling for more realistic travel and subsistence rates, a delegate tells #FDAADC25 that the current rates are so low that civil servants are having to stay at hostels when they need to travel for work.

"The new govt has been given a once in a generation majority. It has set itself high ambitions & we all know that there is much to be done to improve public services. It needs a strong, skilled and motivated workforce to deliver them.

"That’s why we need to get on with it”, Penman tells #FDAADC25

FDA General Secretary Dave Penman addresses the union's Annual Delegate Conference

At #FDAADC25 @fdagensec.bsky.social tells delegates that "we’re nowhere near the sort of discussion we need to be having, for that once in a generation reform that the civil service so badly needs".

"Being in government means it needs to be more than a buzzword in a speech. There has to be clear political objectives, a matching of resources to commitments and a plan”, says @fdagensec.bsky.social #FDAADC25

FDA General Secretary Dave Penman addresses the union's Annual Delegate Conference

"Civil servants can be the engine room of reform, they are hungry for it. But reform has to have substance."

Speaking at #FDAADC25 @fdagensec.bsky.social rejects the idea that civil servants are resistant to change, challenging the government to "get on with it"

#FDAADC25 hoping conference is going generate some heat as the aircon is pretty savage.

Goodall closes off the Q&A session with delegates with a reflection on the "era of permacrisis" British politics is in, and the "ideological exhaustion" this has created for both major political parties. #FDAADC25

On the relationship between ministers and civil servants and the future of 'mission-led government', Goodall predicts the govt's appetite for experimentation may grow over time, having started out a year ago with a "pretty blank" plan. #FDAADC25

Goodall goes on to discuss the state of social democracy in the 21st century, the role of civil servants within it, and the political changes the country may face between now and the next election, warning of the "pied pipers of politics". #FDAADC25

This year's #FDAADC25 is underway! 😊

President Margaret Haig at the podium at FDA’s 2025 Annual Delegate Conference

FDA President @margarethaig.bsky.social opens the 2025 FDA Annual Delegate Conference #FDAADC25