FDA takes part in review of the Fast Stream's future

The FDA has been actively involved in a Cabinet Office steering group considering the future of the Fast Stream. At the request of Gill Rider, director general of the Cabinet Office's Civil Service Capability Group, the steering group was convened to consider what kind of Fast Stream is needed for the modern civil service; how it should be financed and how Fast Streamers should be selected. Senior representatives of the Cabinet Office - as well as several departmental director generals - have participated in the review and the steering group is due to report to permanent secretaries later this month. Caroline Milton, the FDA national officer with responsibility for Fast Stream issues, represented the FDA on the steering group.

Milton said: "We're very pleased to see that many of the major Fast Stream issues which have been raised consistently by the FDA are being given active consideration by the Cabinet Office and senior representatives of departments that recruit Fast Streamers. Feedback suggests that the majority of Fast Streamers generally enjoy the work they do but that there needs to be a greater level of consistency and coherence in the Fast Stream offer. There is too much variation between departments on fundamental areas of the employment contract - the Fast Stream is, after all, supposed to be a 'corporate resource.'"

Milton pointed out two particular areas of concern: firstly, the difficulties experienced by Fast Streamers in some departments in being released for secondments and / or training and secondly, the growing disparity in Fast Stream pay rates between departments, with current starting salaries for Fast Streamers ranging widely from £23,000 to £30,000 (For a sample list of 2008 Fast Stream pay rates, please click on the following link: 2008 Fast Stream pay).

Milton added: "We are keen to keep working with the Cabinet Office and recruiting departments to achieve the best possible terms and conditions for our Fast Stream members, particularly in the difficult months that lie ahead."

For details of the FDA's work on behalf of our Fast Stream members - including social events, information on secondment opportunities, careers advice and learning and development opportunities - FDA members can visit the Fast Stream pages of the FDA website at Fast Stream Network.