FDA DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED AT SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE 'PAY CUT'

The union representing senior civil servants is 'deeply disappointed' that senior civil service pay award for 2007 will rise by only 1.4% - around half the rate of inflation. FDA head of operations Dave Penman said: "The FDA is deeply disappointed that senior civil servants have received a pay award of less than two percent for the second year running. As inflation has risen by 2.7% by the even the most conservative estimates, such a small pay award is in effect a pay cut for the key leaders of public sector reform. "We welcome the Review Body's acknowledgement that senior civil service pay continues to lag far behind that of the wider public and private sectors, but this year's pay award will do little to resolve that. "The FDA also welcomes Review Body's recommendation for a fundamental review of the SCS pay system and the FDA looks forward to working closely with the Cabinet Office and Review Body to develop a fairer system for the future." Notes for Editors 1. The 29th Report on Senior Salaries 2007 can be viewed at: 2. The FDA is the trade union and professional body representing 17,000 of the UK's senior civil and public servants. Our members include policy advisors, senior managers, tax inspectors, economists, statisticians, accountants, special advisers, government lawyers, diplomats, crown prosecutors and NHS managers. 3. The FDA (formerly First Division Association) should be referred to simply as "The FDA" and can be described as "the senior public servants' union". 4. For further information contact: • Jessica Stark, FDA head of communications, tel. 020 7401 5587 or 07967 484 441.