LightNews
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union
@fdaunion.bsky.social
2.4K followers 190 following 140 posts
We're the trade union for managers and professionals in public service.
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 1d
"It's essential there is a marked improvement in service delivery"

FDA Assistant General Secretary Adrian Prandle tells
@civilserviceworld.bsky.social that members' interests must get "foremost" consideration during pension scheme administrator transfer.

www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
Capita gets final OK to run Civil Service Pension Scheme
Outsourcing giant clears Cabinet Office’s “go/no-go” hurdle following preparedness concerns
www.civilserviceworld.com
1
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 4d
"If they want to be taken seriously on civil service reform, they need to say how they’ll govern with thousands of fewer prison officers, border staff, defence staff & tax collectors"

FDA respond to Conservative pledge to cut civil service headcount

civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
‘Cheap’: Unions slam Tories’ latest pledge to slash civil service headcount
Conservative Party brings back failed Boris Johnson-era policy to cut civil service headcount to 2016 levels
civilserviceworld.com
2
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 4d
Our survey of thousands of FDA members is helping us to understand civil servants’ perspectives on this - how they can help support the government’s ambitions regarding the use of artificial intelligence in the public sector.

Look out for our findings and recommendations soon.
Times story with the headline ‘Civil servants warn of “spectacular” Whitehall tech failures’
1
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 4d
Our National Officer Robert Eagleton writes for @civilserviceworld.bsky.social on why the real challenge for the Fast Stream lies in retention, rather than recruitment.
civilserviceworld.bsky.social
Civil Service World @civilserviceworld.bsky.social · 5d
"Low pay and structural uncertainty mean too many talented individuals leave early, undermining the programme’s purpose"
www.civilserviceworld.com/news/article...
The Fast Stream’s record interest is worth celebrating – but the real challenge lies in retention
Low pay and structural uncertainty mean too many talented individuals leave early, undermining the programme’s purpose
www.civilserviceworld.com
2
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 5d
"Ultimately, the Fast Stream doesn’t struggle with getting people through the door – the challenge is keeping them"

FDA National Officer for the Fast Stream Robert Eagleton writes for @civilserviceworld.bsky.social about record Fast Stream applications.
www.civilserviceworld.com/news/article...
The Fast Stream’s record interest is worth celebrating – but the real challenge lies in retention
Low pay and structural uncertainty mean too many talented individuals leave early, undermining the programme’s purpose
www.civilserviceworld.com
1
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 8d
"We haven’t got a strategy from government thinking about either what are those big pay-and-reward issues across the public sector, and what are we going to do about it?” - @fdagensec.bsky.social

Civil Service World report on recent FDA/IfG panel event.
www.civilserviceworld.com/news/article...
Ministers need to ‘get a strategy’ on civil service pay and pensions, says union chief
More flexibility for public-sector workers could offset significant recruitment and retention issues, FDA general secretary tells Labour Party conf...
www.civilserviceworld.com
2
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 9d
Unlocking the Senior Civil Service offers practical help and expert guidance to those wishing to develop into the SCS.

The conference will be held on Thursday 9 October in London - secure your place today: www.dodsdiversity.com/upcoming-eve...
Unlocking the Senior Civil Service
Entering the Senior Civil Service is difficult due to a variety of factors. The recruitment process is highly competitive, with a large pool of app...
www.dodsdiversity.com
1
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 10d
The second Meet the Union session of the day is underway at Base Camp, with our reps here to answer any questions you have about FDA membership.

If you couldn’t make one of today’s sessions, we will be holding more online over the next few weeks.
1
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 10d
We are holding Meet the Union sessions at Base Camp today - come along to hear our reps give their firsthand experiences of FDA membership and the opportunities that come with it.

If you missed this morning’s session, join us this afternoon at 2:15pm for the next one.
1 2
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 10d
Our Fast Stream reps are at Base Camp in Birmingham today -
come say hi and find out what the FDA can do for you, from career development to better pay and conditions, and plenty more.

The FDA is the only recognised union for Fast Streamers, join today: fda.org.uk/fda-and-the-...
1 4
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 11d
General Secretary of @naht.org.uk Paul Whiteman says that any changes to public sector pensions need to be done collaboratively, ensuring they are not just about plugging a short-term issue and do not create issues for public sector workers in later life. #Lab25
1 2
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 11d
The public sector is blighted by pay issues, says @fdagensec.bsky.social

To address this and make progress with any potential reforms there needs to be strong political will and clear leadership from ministers. But there is no sense of what this government want to achieve. #lab25
1 2
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 11d
The current balance of pay and pensions is economically inefficient, says @timleunig.bsky.social, as it incentivises people to retire earlier. He continues that civil service pensions “are not generous”. You have to think of the package as a whole - you cannot look at pensions in isolation. #Lab25
1 1
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 11d
If you are looking to rebalance pay and pensions, says @fdagensec.bsky.social, the first thing you need to do is build trust with the workforce that this is about flexibility and not about reducing the overall remuneration package #Lab25
1
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 11d
IfG Chief Economist @gemmatetlow.bsky.social outlines that currently pension contributions make up around 20% of the total public sector remuneration package, compared to 8% in the private sector. Is this the most effective balance and does there need to be flexibility? #Lab25
1 1
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 11d
Our joint event with @instituteforgovernment.org.uk discussing “Should public sector pay and pensions be reformed?” is underway in Liverpool. #Lab25
The panel at the FDA and IfG event at the 2025 Labour conference
3
Reposted by FDA Union
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 11d
Should public sector pay and pensions be reformed?

Join us at #Lab25 at 15:45 to hear from @timleunig.bsky.social @fdagensec.bsky.social @fdaunion.bsky.social @gemmatetlow.bsky.social, Paul Whiteman and @drbenpaxton.bsky.social - Clyde Room, ACC www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/ifg-la...
An image ad for an IfG event
4 2
Reposted by FDA Union
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 23d
#LAB25 | Should public sector pay and pensions be reformed?

With Dave Penman @fdaunion.bsky.social @gemmatetlow.bsky.social @drbenpaxton.bsky.social

More speakers will be announced soon👁️‍🗨️

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/ifg-la...
2
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 19d
Whilst “feedback from HMI suggests that the technology would require further work to maximise its potential”, FDA HMI members “look forward to embracing new technologies to enhance the quality of inspection and make better use of their time”, FDA’s Matt Newman tells @schoolsweek.bsky.social
schoolsweek.bsky.social
Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 20d
Ofsted inspectors have trialled using AI to save them time while taking notes during inspections, but the watchdog has decided against any wider rollout for now

schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-use-o...
schoolsweek.co.uk
1 1
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · Sep 10
“An improved platform of basic rights for workers is good for the economy, and it's obviously good for workers.”

Despite concerns, @fdagensec.bsky.social told @listentotimesradio.bsky.social the Employment Rights Bill “is the biggest change and improvement in employment rights for a generation”.
1
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · Sep 10
“For a standards regime to have any real meaning, there must be consequences for poor conduct, otherwise public trust in govt will only continue to erode”

Robert Murtagh in @belfasttelegraph.co.uk on the new Assembly Commissioner for Standards appointment

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/comm...
There must be consequences for poor conduct at Stormont… but MLAs are allowed to mark their own homework
It was announced last week that former Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan has been appointed the new Assembly Commissioner for Standards, for approval by the Assembly.
m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
1 2
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · Sep 9
"Civil service departments may talk a good game on diversity, but the gaps on the ground are obvious."

Watch as FDA Vice President Beatriz Brown moves the union's amendment to Composite 6 on neurodiversity rights in the workplace. #TUC25
1 2
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · Sep 8
Watch as FDA Treasurer and delegate John McCullagh moves the FDA's motion on public sector productivity yesterday at TUC Congress 2025

congress.tuc.org.uk/motion-32-pu...
1 1
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · Sep 8
"The more evidence about the chronic risk of climate change that's available, the better that FDA members and many others can carry out their duties across public service."

Catch up from yesterday as FDA President @margarethaig.bsky.social
moved our amendment on Motion 31a #TUC25
2 2
fdaunion.bsky.social
FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · Sep 7
"Successive governments have put great stock in AI... Our members are up for the challenge but... how will we know if those productivity increases have been delivered when there is no agreed productivity measure in the public sector?"

John McCullagh moves Motion 32 on public sector productivity.
FDA Executive Committee member and Treasurer John McCullagh moves our Motion 32 on public sector productivity at TUC Congress 2025
1 2