WIREDGOV

Commenting on the government's announcement of a consultation to cap public sector redundancy schemes, Dave Penman, General Secretary of the FDA said,

"Once again the government is using rhetoric of "highly paid public sector workers" receiving "huge taxpayer-funded payouts" to hide their true intention.

These proposals will impact upon nurses, teachers, firefighters, police officers and potentially hundreds of thousands of public servants who are facing redundancy as a result of spending cuts announced by the Chancellor.

By trying to mask the real impact of these proposals and attempting to pitch tax payers against public servants, the government is indulging in the worst kind of dog-whistle politics.

If this government is to deliver on its commitments, it needs to continue to attract and motivate the best talent, while at the same time managing another significant reduction in staffing. I fail to see how this sort of approach will achieve either."

Notes for editors

1. The FDA is the trade union and professional body representing 18,000 of the UK's senior public servants. Our members include policy advisors, senior managers, tax inspectors, economists, statisticians, accountants, special advisers, government lawyers, diplomats, crown prosecutors and NHS managers.
2. The FDA can be described as "the senior public servants' union" and should be referred to simply as "The FDA".
3. The FDA can be found on Twitter @FDA_union and at www.fda.org.uk.
4. For further information contact:

• Dave Penman, FDA General Secretary, tel: 020 7401 5555 or 07967 503827.
• Rory Desch, Communications Officer, 020 7593 0416, extn 596.