Dave Penman
@fdagensec.bsky.social
General Secretary FDA union. ACAS Council member. TUC Trustee, General Council and Executive Committee member. Chair Unions21
Jones is right, blaming ‘the blob’ makes you a rubbish minister. But can he convince civil servants they won’t be blamed by ministers for taking the risks the govt is pushing for?
My latest for @civilserviceworld.bsky.social
My latest for @civilserviceworld.bsky.social
Darren Jones showed he is a thoughtful minister – this government must now show it can address the legitimate concerns of voters
Time will tell on Jones' reform plans, but it's good to see a minister acknowledge complex challenges head on and publicly
www.civilserviceworld.com
January 21, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Jones is right, blaming ‘the blob’ makes you a rubbish minister. But can he convince civil servants they won’t be blamed by ministers for taking the risks the govt is pushing for?
My latest for @civilserviceworld.bsky.social
My latest for @civilserviceworld.bsky.social
Following his speech today on modernising Whitehall, I asked
@darrenpjones.bsky.social how government can convince civil servants, who have too often been scapegoated by politicians, to take risks without knowing they won’t get quickly blamed by ministers when those risks don’t work out.
@darrenpjones.bsky.social how government can convince civil servants, who have too often been scapegoated by politicians, to take risks without knowing they won’t get quickly blamed by ministers when those risks don’t work out.
January 20, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Following his speech today on modernising Whitehall, I asked
@darrenpjones.bsky.social how government can convince civil servants, who have too often been scapegoated by politicians, to take risks without knowing they won’t get quickly blamed by ministers when those risks don’t work out.
@darrenpjones.bsky.social how government can convince civil servants, who have too often been scapegoated by politicians, to take risks without knowing they won’t get quickly blamed by ministers when those risks don’t work out.
At @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's annual conference I asked Mel Stride how, when he won’t know the state of public services in 2029, the health of the economy or even the programme his own govt would have if elected - he knows how many civil servants will be needed then.
January 13, 2026 at 6:16 PM
At @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's annual conference I asked Mel Stride how, when he won’t know the state of public services in 2029, the health of the economy or even the programme his own govt would have if elected - he knows how many civil servants will be needed then.
At today’s @instituteforgovernment.org.uk annual conference, I asked @darrenpjones.bsky.social how he responds to concerns about the fragmentation of responsibilities, including changes to his own role, preventing civil service reform.
January 13, 2026 at 3:55 PM
At today’s @instituteforgovernment.org.uk annual conference, I asked @darrenpjones.bsky.social how he responds to concerns about the fragmentation of responsibilities, including changes to his own role, preventing civil service reform.
At @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's annual conference, I asked Wes Streeting what he is doing to give staff in the NHS and civil service the support and stability they need to deliver public services and drive efficiencies whilst navigating the uncertainties of major organisational restructures.
January 13, 2026 at 11:26 AM
At @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's annual conference, I asked Wes Streeting what he is doing to give staff in the NHS and civil service the support and stability they need to deliver public services and drive efficiencies whilst navigating the uncertainties of major organisational restructures.
Transforming public services will not happen by trotting out tired old tropes about the civil service.
This is not the approach of a serious govt, its an intellectually corrupt process designed to deliver a headline not efficient or effective public services.
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
This is not the approach of a serious govt, its an intellectually corrupt process designed to deliver a headline not efficient or effective public services.
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
Tories pledge to sack underperforming civil servants
Sir Mel Stride will promise his party plans to no longer tolerate mediocrity in Whitehall
www.telegraph.co.uk
January 13, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Transforming public services will not happen by trotting out tired old tropes about the civil service.
This is not the approach of a serious govt, its an intellectually corrupt process designed to deliver a headline not efficient or effective public services.
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
This is not the approach of a serious govt, its an intellectually corrupt process designed to deliver a headline not efficient or effective public services.
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
As I told @gbnewsonline.bsky.social, reports of a 'mass exodus' of civil servants if Reform come into power need to be taken with a pinch of salt - chatter in Westminster watering holes isn't representative of the vast majority of civil servants working to deliver public services across the country.
January 9, 2026 at 4:53 PM
As I told @gbnewsonline.bsky.social, reports of a 'mass exodus' of civil servants if Reform come into power need to be taken with a pinch of salt - chatter in Westminster watering holes isn't representative of the vast majority of civil servants working to deliver public services across the country.
After reports of civil service over-regulation & obstruction stopping Labour delivering, I told @rowenamason.bsky.social the civil service didn’t put the system in place, ministers did & it’s entirely within govt’s power to change it. But it can only change if there’s strong political will to do so.
Downing Street has only itself to blame for lack of grip on Whitehall, say experts
Downing Street has only itself to blame for lack of grip on Whitehall, say experts
Ex-adviser Paul Ovenden says ‘political perma-class’ has distracted government, but critics argue ministers already have power to act
Downing Street only has itself to blame for failing to exercise power,
Whitehall experts have said, after a former No 10 adviser said that lobbying by a “political perma-class” had distracted the government from voters’ priorities.
Paul Ovenden prompted a debate about how Keir Starmer’s administration is governing after criticising what he described as the “sheer weirdness of how Whitehall spends its time”. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 3, 2026 at 12:54 PM
After reports of civil service over-regulation & obstruction stopping Labour delivering, I told @rowenamason.bsky.social the civil service didn’t put the system in place, ministers did & it’s entirely within govt’s power to change it. But it can only change if there’s strong political will to do so.
As I told @civilserviceworld.bsky.social, people working together and interacting in person is better, but a mandate is too blunt a tool for achieving this – it needs to be applied with sensitivity and nuance. The failure to recognise this builds resentment.
Two years on from the 60% in-office mandate, do officials think it’s working?
www.civilserviceworld.com/in-depth/art...
www.civilserviceworld.com/in-depth/art...
Office politics: Civil servants on 60% mandate two years on
Two years on from its introduction, officials tell CSW what they really think of the 60% office-working rule
www.civilserviceworld.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:42 AM
As I told @civilserviceworld.bsky.social, people working together and interacting in person is better, but a mandate is too blunt a tool for achieving this – it needs to be applied with sensitivity and nuance. The failure to recognise this builds resentment.
As I told @civilserviceworld.bsky.social giving ministers more authority to dismiss the people that advise them will not deliver better government. It will lead to yes-men and chaos as entire leadership teams change with every ministerial reshuffle.
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
Unions slam Reform UK plans to oust perm secs and cut 68,500 jobs
Party announces more details of civil service reform policies including weakening pensions in favour of higher bonuses, increasing office working a...
www.civilserviceworld.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:43 PM
As I told @civilserviceworld.bsky.social giving ministers more authority to dismiss the people that advise them will not deliver better government. It will lead to yes-men and chaos as entire leadership teams change with every ministerial reshuffle.
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
"You can have a bigger or smaller civil service but your plans have got to have a bit of coherence... I think that was the bit missing"
@fdagensec.bsky.social on Reform UK's announcement on civil service reform.
@fdagensec.bsky.social on Reform UK's announcement on civil service reform.
December 15, 2025 at 10:52 PM
"You can have a bigger or smaller civil service but your plans have got to have a bit of coherence... I think that was the bit missing"
@fdagensec.bsky.social on Reform UK's announcement on civil service reform.
@fdagensec.bsky.social on Reform UK's announcement on civil service reform.
“Reform UK talk about utilising AI but want massive cuts in key areas of government that drive efficiency and effective use of resources, including digital, engineering, project management and commercial" - @fdagensec.bsky.social tells @financialtimes.com
www.ft.com/content/dac8...
www.ft.com/content/dac8...
Reform UK pledges to cut 68,500 civil service jobs
Danny Kruger says Whitehall machine is ‘overstaffed and badly led’
www.ft.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:01 PM
“Reform UK talk about utilising AI but want massive cuts in key areas of government that drive efficiency and effective use of resources, including digital, engineering, project management and commercial" - @fdagensec.bsky.social tells @financialtimes.com
www.ft.com/content/dac8...
www.ft.com/content/dac8...
This morning we had our first glimpse of the detail of Reform UK's plans for the civil service.
However, the idea you can slash swathes of “corporate functions” while protecting front line services in the likes of HMRC, the Border Force, and prison service is unrealistic.
However, the idea you can slash swathes of “corporate functions” while protecting front line services in the likes of HMRC, the Border Force, and prison service is unrealistic.
December 15, 2025 at 1:39 PM
This morning we had our first glimpse of the detail of Reform UK's plans for the civil service.
However, the idea you can slash swathes of “corporate functions” while protecting front line services in the likes of HMRC, the Border Force, and prison service is unrealistic.
However, the idea you can slash swathes of “corporate functions” while protecting front line services in the likes of HMRC, the Border Force, and prison service is unrealistic.
As I told @listentotimesradio.bsky.social, my hope is that this legislation will create better workplaces. Letting employees know they have a right to join a union & be represented isn't pro-union, it's just factual. It's about your rights at work & that's really important for employees.
December 9, 2025 at 8:41 AM
As I told @listentotimesradio.bsky.social, my hope is that this legislation will create better workplaces. Letting employees know they have a right to join a union & be represented isn't pro-union, it's just factual. It's about your rights at work & that's really important for employees.
It’s not often a campaign ticks all the boxes. Strong evidence base, great member engagement and influencing a new government’s policy. Could not be prouder of the FDA team behind Funding the Nation - our superb reps and talented staff working together to deliver real change.
December 2, 2025 at 7:38 PM
It’s not often a campaign ticks all the boxes. Strong evidence base, great member engagement and influencing a new government’s policy. Could not be prouder of the FDA team behind Funding the Nation - our superb reps and talented staff working together to deliver real change.
As I told @cathynewman.bsky.social, I want to see the Employment Rights Bill passed and the improvements enacted in a wide range of areas from sick pay to union access to workplaces. This is a fair compromise on unfair dismissal if it gets this Bill through the Lords.
November 28, 2025 at 5:53 PM
As I told @cathynewman.bsky.social, I want to see the Employment Rights Bill passed and the improvements enacted in a wide range of areas from sick pay to union access to workplaces. This is a fair compromise on unfair dismissal if it gets this Bill through the Lords.
Well. That was a match. At last Scotland’s renowned Samba soccer gets the credit it deserves. We’ll be coming 🏴
November 18, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Well. That was a match. At last Scotland’s renowned Samba soccer gets the credit it deserves. We’ll be coming 🏴
It was a pleasure to meet with Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, Federal Minister of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives and Inter Provincial Coordination in the Pakistan Govt & his team, looking at civil service reform & lessons that can be learnt from the UK experience.
November 7, 2025 at 5:26 PM
It was a pleasure to meet with Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, Federal Minister of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives and Inter Provincial Coordination in the Pakistan Govt & his team, looking at civil service reform & lessons that can be learnt from the UK experience.
If you’re in Fylde View come down and say hi - in reception room all day, and lunchtime in room A3.05.
November 6, 2025 at 11:32 AM
If you’re in Fylde View come down and say hi - in reception room all day, and lunchtime in room A3.05.
A race to the bottom on pensions will only worsen the crisis in our public services, with the civil service already unable to compete on attracting & retaining talent.
Reforming public services takes investment in people, skills & tech, which Reform need to recognise if serious about governing.
Reforming public services takes investment in people, skills & tech, which Reform need to recognise if serious about governing.
Scoop: As Nigel Farage prepares to make his big economic speech, his deputy gets into a spat with a senior trade union boss ...
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/exclus...
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/exclus...
Exclusive: Union Boss Slams Reform's Richard Tice Over Plan To Slash Pensions
The party's deputy leader said public spending needs to fall.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 1:07 PM
A race to the bottom on pensions will only worsen the crisis in our public services, with the civil service already unable to compete on attracting & retaining talent.
Reforming public services takes investment in people, skills & tech, which Reform need to recognise if serious about governing.
Reforming public services takes investment in people, skills & tech, which Reform need to recognise if serious about governing.
As I told @christopherhope.bsky.social, government works well when civil servants are there to offer ministers impartial, evidence-based advice. That only works if they are hired based on what they know, rather than what they believe.
October 31, 2025 at 12:48 PM
As I told @christopherhope.bsky.social, government works well when civil servants are there to offer ministers impartial, evidence-based advice. That only works if they are hired based on what they know, rather than what they believe.
Scapegoating the civil service didn’t work as a strategy for the last government and it won’t work for this one.
As I told @georgewparker.bsky.social anonymous briefings against the Cabinet Secretary are always self-deafting for governments.
www.ft.com/content/e7c6...
As I told @georgewparker.bsky.social anonymous briefings against the Cabinet Secretary are always self-deafting for governments.
www.ft.com/content/e7c6...
Downing Street ‘viper’s nest’ causes civil service dismay
Briefings against cabinet secretary Chris Wormald point to infighting at heart of Starmer government
www.ft.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Scapegoating the civil service didn’t work as a strategy for the last government and it won’t work for this one.
As I told @georgewparker.bsky.social anonymous briefings against the Cabinet Secretary are always self-deafting for governments.
www.ft.com/content/e7c6...
As I told @georgewparker.bsky.social anonymous briefings against the Cabinet Secretary are always self-deafting for governments.
www.ft.com/content/e7c6...
The prime minister could - and should - put an end to this briefing now. It's counterproductive, unfair to individuals and damages the trust that is essential to good government. That's the lesson Cummings admirers should learn.
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
The briefings against Chris Wormald damage the trust that is essential to good government
For the Cummings admirers in No.10 reading this: Anyone can break a system down, putting it back together is a different skill
www.civilserviceworld.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The prime minister could - and should - put an end to this briefing now. It's counterproductive, unfair to individuals and damages the trust that is essential to good government. That's the lesson Cummings admirers should learn.
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
As I said to @kateemccann.bsky.social, imagine working in the Home Office where a Home Sec got a free pass despite bullying staff, where policy after policy failed & though trying to make it work, ministers blamed you as part of an activist blob & you're now told you have a defeatist attitude.
October 23, 2025 at 12:18 PM
As I said to @kateemccann.bsky.social, imagine working in the Home Office where a Home Sec got a free pass despite bullying staff, where policy after policy failed & though trying to make it work, ministers blamed you as part of an activist blob & you're now told you have a defeatist attitude.
As I told @kateemccann.bsky.social, Nick Timothy's report fails to look at the root cause of the problems that exist within parts of the Home Office - it's not listening circles that have caused chaotic immigration policy, it's unstable political leadership.
October 23, 2025 at 10:41 AM
As I told @kateemccann.bsky.social, Nick Timothy's report fails to look at the root cause of the problems that exist within parts of the Home Office - it's not listening circles that have caused chaotic immigration policy, it's unstable political leadership.