WIREDGOV

The Chancellor's Autumn Statement represents a further long-term blow for public services and increases uncertainty for those delivering on the Government's reform agenda, the FDA said yesterday. The FDA is the union representing the UK's senior public servants.

FDA General Secretary Dave Penman said:

"Today the Chancellor announced that departmental resource budgets will be cut by a further 3% over the next two years, bringing the total reduction in this parliament to an average of 22%. He also announced that he will continue to cut departmental budgets beyond 2015 on the 'same trajectory' as over the 2010 Spending Review period. This could mean a further cut of around 10% over the following two years. The combined effect will be devastating to public services and public servants with tens of thousands more job cuts to come.

"After already the most savage cuts in living memory, those that remain in departments will be stretched beyond the limit.

"The continuation of the 1% pay cap - after a two- or three-year pay freeze - coupled with proposals to increase pension contributions again from April 2013, will result in a further real-terms income cut for many. Taken together with the current attack on terms and conditions means many loyal senior staff are increasingly questioning their own continued employment in the civil service.

"With pay levels almost double outside of the civil service for some similar jobs, the government will be creating a perfect storm of significant job cuts coupled with an exodus of some of the most talented and committed public service managers and professionals."

Notes for editors

1. The FDA is the trade union and professional body representing 18,000 of the UK's senior civil and 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. Members in HMRC are represented by the Association of Revenue and Customs (ARC), a section of the FDA.

3. The FDA (formerly the First Division Association) should be referred to simply as "The FDA" and can be described as "the senior public servants' union".

4. For further information contact:

• Dave Penman, FDA General Secretary, tel: 020 7401 5555 or 07967 503827.
• Oliver Rowe, Communications Manager, tel: 020 7401 5588 or 07590 838696.