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 · 3w ago

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.

I’m proud to have signed today our formal recognition agreement for Special Advisers with Satvir Kaur MP, Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office. Special Advisers play a vital role in Government, supporting ministers and helping to protect the impartiality of the civil service.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office Satvir Kaur MP and FDA General Secretary Dave Penman signing a formal recognition agreement for Special Advisers.

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.

Dave Penman @fdagensec.bsky.social · 4w ago

Statement from the FDA regarding legal action launched today by Sir Olly Robbins, challenging his dismissal:

Copy of FDA statement: 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.

Olly’s submission to the Court is that:

The Prime Minister has asserted publicly that it was his decision to dismiss Olly, however the Prime Minister has no statutory authority to dismiss the Head of the Diplomatic Service;
Not only was there no fair procedure involved in his dismissal, there was no process at all; and
Insofar as Olly has been given reasons for his dismissal, they are irrational. Rather than being under a duty to tell ministers about the process leading up to the vetting decision, Olly was under an obligation not to. The process is independent of government ministers, who are only informed of the final outcome. This position was confirmed in a letter of 16 September 2025 that was signed by the Foreign Secretary, using text both drafted and approved by No.10

I just love how those that worship the private sector don’t realise that any successful company doesn’t trash their staff publicly and expect to succeed. If Reform UK are serious about Government, they need to get serious about governing.

Screenshot of the Politico website where Reform UK’s Danny Kruger describes the civil service as ‘clapped out’.

As I told @theipaper.com, the clock is ticking. Andy Burnham is starting as a mid term PM & the last thing he or the country needs is the civil service to be rearranging the deckchairs, unsure of the seating plan, rather than getting on with delivering. inews.co.uk/news/politic...

‘Charge of the spite brigade’: Burnham battles Starmer's desperate rearguard

Tensions grow between teams of the outgoing and likely incoming Prime Minister

inews.co.uk

Whatever the issue, whether it’s digital transformation with AI or a new agenda for devolution, constructive engagement between unions and govt is key to effective public sector reform. My latest for @civilserviceworld.bsky.social with Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy.

Better relations, better outcomes: Why we signed a new partnership framework with the Cabinet Office

The FDA and Prospect unions explain the thinking behind the agreement with the Cabinet Office

civilserviceworld.com

Pleased to be able to announce a new Partnership Working Framework launched today with the Cabinet Office, the FDA, Prospect and the Prison Officers' Association.

Since hybrid working started under the Coalition Govt. more than a decade ago, hundreds of millions of pounds have been saved by having a smaller civil service estate. Unwind that if you want, but do tell us where the money is coming from for all the new offices.

Dave Penman @fdagensec.bsky.social · 2mo ago

As I told @listentotimesradio.bsky.social, whoever becomes the next PM needs to think carefully about the damage and disruption that unforced changes can have on the ability of govt to deliver for the public.

The govt’s recent reforms to SCS pay are a welcome step in the right direction and have implications for wider pay reform across the civil service. A good argument for why pay review bodies are a good idea. More of that please. My latest for @civilserviceworld.bsky.social

A giddy new dawn: Plans for SCS pay progression are a crucial step in the right direction

Recently-announced reforms to SCS pay means government can begin to address issues that have blighted the senior civil service pay system for decad...

civilserviceworld.com

Dave Penman @fdagensec.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Kruger's latest proposals for the civil service starts off with fair analysis on the need for better delivery. All too quickly though you can sense the vitriol driving the proposals. Me for @civilserviceworld.bsky.social www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...

Reform UK have decided the civil service is not to be trusted – weakness is at the heart of this irrational fear

Danny Kruger's plans are not radical, they are ideological group think

civilserviceworld.com

As I told @fayebrownjourno.bsky.social, as long as civil servants are not being asked to break their professional code, including upholding the rule of law, they don't get to decide which bits of policy they implement and which they don't. news.sky.com/story/civil-...

Civil service union votes to double strike fund to prepare for Reform government

The PCS union has agreed to double its surplus to fund industrial action in the event of a "hostile" Reform government that could cut thousands of jobs, but has faced accusations of breaching civil se...

news.sky.com

Is there a better view from a conference centre in the country? Great to be back at the @tuccymru.bsky.social Congress at a pivotal moment for the movement in Wales.

View from Venue Cymru in Llandudno, the location for the 2026 TUC Cymru Congress

As I told @evanhd.bsky.social, civil servants do not choose that career if they are uncomfortable serving different ministers or governments of different political persuasions. But they do get frustrated when change is happening for change’s sake. This is what gets in the way of good government.

Standing up for members, supporting careers, & delivering real outcomes. That’s what makes us different, that’s what makes us strong, & that’s why we’re the fastest growing union in the country. A pleasure to deliver my speech to the FDA’s annual conference, celebrating the strength of our union.

Delivering my speech at the 2026 FDA Annual Delegate Conference

A day of drama in Westminster. The big questions of how Government delivers and improves the lives of working people. Will he, won’t he… Yes it’s FDA’s annual conference and yes I will… be mentioning Partick Thistle in my speech.

As I told Talk TV, work evolves all the time. The evidence shows that, when it's managed well, hybrid working does deliver efficiencies and productivity.

As I told Channel 5's Storm & Alexis show, when done well, hybrid working can boost productivity and save taxpayer money. These constant attacks against civil servants for working from home, when many can't even find a desk to work from, need to stop.

Anyone who watched Sir Olly Robbins give evidence could see he has not been treated fairly. Of course civil servants being treated this way is going to send a chill throughout the service.

As I told @listentotimesradio.bsky.social, diplomats are made, not born, and require high levels of experience, skill and expertise to carry out very difficult work - the practice of politicians using these posts as tokens or retirement presents for their friends/allies needs to stop.

As I told @listentotimesradio.bsky.social, I think the Prime Minister thinks this suddenly becomes a question of Olly Robbins' judgement about approving vetting rather than his judgement about appointing Mandelson and No.10 just leapt on that to be honest. And Olly's the fall guy in all of this.

As I said on @listentotimesradio.bsky.social, there is no one now in the leadership of the civil service who doesn't think, "if it's politically expedient, I will be thrown under the bus."

Anyone who watched Sir Olly give evidence today could see the passion and commitment he has for public service.

At the heart of this debacle we have seen the unceremonious dismissal of a public servant who, as I said to @lbc.co.uk, has dedicated his career to the work of government and the protection of our national security.

As I told @lbc.co.uk, Sir Olly Robbins outlined today that there's a reason the vetting process is kept separate from ministers - to protect the integrity of the process, and ultimately national security.