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FDA sets out reform agenda in alternative White Paper

25 Apr 2013 01:37 PM
The FDA, the union for senior managers and professionals in public service, yesterday launched an alternative White Paper on civil service reform.

The FDA’s reform plan, which has been developed by union members who work every day to serve the Government and the public, sets out 20 recommendations that it believes will help to deliver the sustainable world-class civil service that the public have a right to expect.

The FDA’s alternative White Paper - ‘Delivering for the Nation: Securing a World-Class Civil Service’ - is being launched in Parliament at an event to be addressed by Francis Maude, the Minister responsible for the Cabinet Office (and civil service reform), and Baroness Hayter, the Labour spokesperson for the Cabinet Office.

The FDA’s alternative White Paper sets out 20 recommendations over three broad themes: equipping the civil service to deliver in the modern context; getting accountability and impartiality right; and how to improve morale and motivation.

Commenting on the launch, FDA General Secretary Dave Penman said:

“Civil servants are not “faceless bureaucrats” but real people striving every day to serve the Government and the public. Although the current civil service is under severe pressure, it is not broken. Neither is it perfect. 

“The reality is that civil servants are operating in an exceptionally challenging environment of diminishing resources, radical change, and pay levels that have fallen dramatically behind the market. 

“A world-class civil service is critical for delivering world-class public services and efficient, effective government.

“The FDA alternative White Paper puts forward a starting point for reform - the questions that need to be asked and the issues that need to be addressed. We make recommendations on improving the skills of Minsters as well as civil servants, on better ways to hold the Government and civil servants to account, and on improving the morale and performance of senior public servants.”

Click here to view and download ‘Delivering for the Nation: Securing a World-Class Civil Service’.

Notes for editors

1. The FDA is the trade union for the UK's senior public servants and professionals. FDA membership includes more than 19,000 senior civil servants, government policy advisors, diplomats, tax professionals, economists, solicitors, prosecutors and other professionals work across government and the NHS.

2. 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".  

3. The FDA can be found on Twitter @FDA_union and at www.fda.org.uk.

4. The FDA alternative White Paper, ‘Delivering for the Nation: Securing a World-Class Civil Service’ (embargoed until 18.00 on Wednesday 24 April 2013), can be read here

5. For further information contact:
  • Dave Penman, FDA General Secretary, tel: 020 7401 5555 or 07967 503827.
  • Kay Hender, Communications Officer, tel: 020 7401 5589 or 07980 700747.