Tessera

As I told @theipaper.com, this isn’t about ministers who are robust, this is about systematic bullying. No one has confidence in a system when the individual who put that minister there in the first place is the same person who determines the outcome of a complaint. inews.co.uk/news/politic...

Union demands Burnham strips himself of power to rule on bullying complaints

In a letter seen by The i Paper the head of the civil service union says officials are scared to make complaints about their minister bosses because the system is no longer fit for purpose

inews.co.uk

Mirror Politics@politics.mirror.co.uk · last mo.

This is classic Johnson, deflection and scapegoating. Civil servants implement govt policy. It was his govt’s policy that allowed the massive increase in immigration. Rather than taking responsibility, he throws the accusation of “remain” civil servants undermining his govt around.

Boris Johnson has been accused of being “delusional” after he appeared to blame remain-voting civil servants for a spike in migration post-Brexit.

Jane Runeckles, National Officer for FDA Cymru | Wales, has been elected President of @tuccymru.bsky.social www.fda.org.uk/news/fda-jan...

Quote from FDA National Officer Jane Runeckles: “I look forward to the opportunity to work with TUC Cymru General Secretary Laura Doel, Vice President Jess Turner, and the staff of TUC Cymru to ensure that we can build strong relationships with the new political leadership and make sure our voice is heard at this crucial time for all of our members.”

I spoke to @siennarodgers.bsky.social about the challenges and opportunities of operating a No.10 North and what it might mean for the civil service. www.politicshome.com/news/article...

Inside Burnham's ‘No 10 North’ Plans: “It's Not Just About Creating A Second Westminster”

Andy Burnham has pledged to create a ‘No 10 North’ in Manchester that would serve as the ‘nerve centre of a rewired Britain’. Will it work? How? Si...

politicshome.com

This morning on Times Radio I argued the PM's decision to sack Robbins was made in a matter of minutes without any process after reacting to a newstory. This is not only bad Olly, but bad for the whole permanent civil service, and bad for the government's ability to deliver for the public.

Olly Robbins, represented by the FDA, has today issued proceedings requesting a Judicial Review of his dismissal. See our full statement below:

Text of statement from FDA:

Sir Oliver Robbins submits legal challenge of his dismissal
The FDA represents Sir Oliver Robbins. Olly has today issued proceedings requesting a Judicial Review of his dismissal as Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Head of the Diplomatic Service.

The Prime Minister has acknowledged that his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States in December 2024 was a mistake. He should also admit that sacking Olly was a mistake, based on a grievous misunderstanding of how the National Security Vetting (NSV) system worked and a rash response to a media story.

A point of principle is at stake, which affects all FDA members. It damages the core values of a professional and impartial civil service if its most senior officials can be dismissed on a Prime Ministerial whim, without even the semblance of a fair process or considered understanding of the core issue.

Schools Week@schoolsweek.bsky.social · last mo.

Responding to Ofsted's plans to use AI to summarise survey responses, National Officer Matt Newman tells @schoolsweek.bsky.social the FDA "will need to work closely with Ofsted to ensure that these tools are not detrimental in the longer term to our members and ultimately to parents and children."

Exclusive: Ofsted’s plans to use artificial intelligence to help summarise survey responses from parents and pupils have sparked mixed reactions. schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-tests...

Responding to an incident of vandalism at DWP's Crown House offices, FDA National Officer Matt Newman tells @grimsbytelegraph.co.uk: "In light of this incident the department must now look to implement the significant security upgrades the FDA has demanded as a matter of urgency."

Staff at DWP offices sent home after vandals 'smash windows with catapult'

Mre than 400 staff at Crown House on Nelson Street in Grimsby worked from home due to vandals smashing windows

grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

"The challenge now is ensuring that greater flexibility does not come at the expense of consistency. It must preserve high expectations for every child, regardless of background." FDA National Officer Matt Newman for @schoolsweek.bsky.social on proposed reforms to Ofsted inspection framework:

What Ofsted reforms look like from an inspector’s viewpoint

The latest changes must ensure that greater flexibility does not come at the expense of consistency

schoolsweek.co.uk

Tes magazine@tesmagazine.bsky.social · last mo.

"Excessive workloads are already a huge issue for many of our members in Ofsted. If more monitoring inspections are being pushed towards HMI then Ofsted need to ensure there is adequate resourcing in place." FDA National Officer Matt Newman tells @tesmagazine.bsky.social

Exclusive: Tes analysis reveals a big increase in the proportion of schools facing Ofsted monitoring visits after inspection, prompting fears about school leaders' wellbeing

"The broader inspection framework should ensure every school is held accountable for creating an inclusive environment where all children can succeed." FDA National Officer Matt Newman writes to @theguardian.com on Ofsted's role in addressing the literacy crisis in schools:

How to solve the literacy crisis in schools | Letters

Letters: Readers respond to a report that disadvantaged white children have lower reading fluency than other groups, leading to disengagement and school absence

theguardian.com

"The future of public services should not be a choice between people and technology. The real opportunity lies in combining the strengths of both." FDA National Officer Matt Newman outlines concerns around DBT's AI-enabled restructuring programme for @civilserviceworld.bsky.social.

Technology cannot replace trust: The concerning implications of DBT's 'AI-enabled' restructure

Civil service reform must be done with staff, not to them

civilserviceworld.com

"It is vital that none of this detracts from securing action for pensioners facing financial hardship. Those who have served the public throughout their working lives deserve nothing less". FDA responds to the govt's "enforcment plan" for pensions crisis. www.civilserviceworld.com/news/article...

Pension scheme crisis: Cabinet Office sets out ‘enforcement’ plan

“Immediate technical intervention” will see independent auditors probe “system integrity” of Civil Service Pension Scheme as new DG is also appoint...

civilserviceworld.com

Today FDA members - plus their friends and family - joined the celebrations and marched as part of Pride in London 🏳️‍🌈

FDA members take part in Pride in London

At this year’s TUC LGBT+ Workers’ Conference in Brighton, FDA delegates moved a motion on improving the uptake of sexual health vaccinations and spoke on a number of motions, including ending LGBT+ workplace bullying and harassment. Find out more: www.fda.org.uk/news/fda-del...

FDA delegation attends TUC LGBT+ Workers' Conference 2026 - FDA

An FDA delegation attended this year's TUC LGBT+ Workers' Conference in Brighton.

fda.org.uk

“Working in partnership with employers is how we deliver what FDA members want from their union, influence over their world of work. It strengthens our influence without compromising our ability to challenge if necessary." @fdagensec.bsky.social on new Partnership Framework with the Cabinet Office.

Civil service unions agree partnership framework with Cabinet Office

Cabinet Office and trade unions will endeavour to treat others with respect in all means of communication and approach civil service workforce issu...

civilserviceworld.com

“You’d have ministers allowing their depts to grow to deal with the consequences of the policy they supported & then, at the same time, attacking the civil service for growing.” @fdagensec.bsky.social on the unacknowledged resource implications of Brexit www.civilserviceworld.com/in-depth/art...

Ten years on from the vote to leave the EU, how has Brexit shaped the civil service?

Ten years ago to this day, the UK public voted to leave the European Union, heaping an almighty challenge on government’s shoulders. What lasting e...

civilserviceworld.com

"Across any number of policy areas, stability and long-term planning is the key to delivering better and more efficient public services.” @fdagensec.bsky.social tells @listentotimesradio.bsky.social

Congratulations to winner of the FDA Impact Award, DWP rep Matthew Brown, who has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the King’s Birthday Honours. Read more about the Impact Award on the FDA website: fda.org.uk/news/fda-dwp... Reports from the other 2026 ADC award winners will be coming soon.

FDA DWP rep Matthew Brown receives 2026 Individual Impact Award - FDA

The 2026 FDA individual Impact Award went to Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) rep Matthew Brown, recognising his ongoing work to improve health and safety across DWP offices.

fda.org.uk

"You cannot separate the performance and culture of the civil service from the political and governance environment in which it operates". @robertmurtagh1.bsky.social gives oral evidence to the Assembly Committee for Finance's inquiry into performance and culture of the NICS.

Our Carers’ Report emphasises the evident impact of knowledgeable & confident managers in supporting carers. As @ameliadowler.bsky.social told @civilserviceworld.bsky.social this Carers’ Week, we want to see this as a model for civil service managers. www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...

Helping carers to reach their potential in the civil service – what’s improved and what needs to get better?

A new survey of carers who work in the civil service shows there has been positive change in the last five years, but some employers have a way to ...

civilserviceworld.com

Carers UK@carers-uk.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Following the publication of the FDA's own report looking at the experiences of carers in the civil service, the FDA will be contributing to the government's consultation and we encourage members to engage with the consultation process. #CarersWeek www.gov.uk/government/c...

Make Work Pay: employment rights for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children

We are seeking views on the employment rights that are available to people with unpaid caring responsibilities and parents who have a seriously ill child.

gov.uk

Last night, Carers UK and TSB brought together employers, policymakers and carers ahead of today's launch of the Government's consultation on employment rights for unpaid carers.

Tes magazine @tesmagazine.bsky.social · 2mo ago

"Everyone in education wants the same thing: better experiences and outcomes for all children, including those with SEND and other vulnerable students. HMIs are no different." FDA National Officer Matt Newman writes for @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/ana...

What Ofsted inspectors really think about inclusion

A union leader representing Ofsted HMIs says that, when considering inclusion, the views of inspectors must not be left out of accountability debates

tes.com

The debate about inspecting schools on inclusion is missing one important perspective – that of the inspectors themselves, writes Matt Newman of @fdaunion.bsky.social

What Ofsted inspectors really think about inclusion

A union leader representing Ofsted HMIs says that, when considering inclusion, the views of inspectors must not be left out of accountability debates

tes.com