17/05/2013 -
Report from the 2013 Annual Delegate Conference
Yesterday’s FDA's annual conference heard keynote speeches from Chair of PASC Bernard Jenkin MP, and Dave Penman, speaking to conference for the first time as FDA General Secretary.
Jenkin used his speech to announce the need for an independent Parliamentary Committee to take a considered approach to the future of the civil service.
13/05/2013 -
Permanent secretaries on fixed-term contracts 'would deliver bad government', says FDA
Yesterday’s Independent on Sunday quoted FDA general secretary Dave Penman, over mooted plans to put permanent secretaries on fixed-term four year contracts.
10/05/2013 -
FDA fears over contestable policymaking
The latest issue of Civil Service World features a report from the FDA's alternative White Paper launch, quoting FDA general secretary Dave Penman on open policymaking.
03/05/2013 -
Government needs ‘compelling justification for transferring government services out of the civil service’, says FDA
A letter from FDA assistant general secretary Naomi Cooke was published in yesterday’s Independent, in response to an article on public services and staff being transferred to the private sector.
25/04/2013 -
FDA launches alternative White Paper on civil service reform
Yesterday evening, the FDA launched its alternative White Paper on civil service reform in Parliament.
24/04/2013 -
FDA outlines alternative White Paper on reform
Opinion pieces by FDA general secretary Dave Penman, outlining the reasons behind the FDA's alternative White Paper to be launched this evening, feature in both the Guardian Public Leaders Network online and in Public Servant.
22/04/2013 -
FDA at the 2013 TUC Black Workers' Conference
An FDA delegation of four attended the 2013 TUC Black Workers' Conference, in mid-April. The union submitted a motion on encouraging increased diversity at senior levels.
12/04/2013 -
SCS T&C reforms reduce package already ‘far below’ rest of public or private sector, says FDA
In today's Independent and the latest issue of Civil Service World, FDA general secretary Dave Penman says reforms to senior civil servants’ terms and conditions further reduce a package that the Government’s own figures show is already below those comparable elsewhere.
03/04/2013 -
Job vacancy: FDA communications officer
The FDA is looking to recruit a communications officer to join its head office team.
27/03/2013 -
FDA asks the Chancellor: Are public servants not part of the aspiration nation?
In an opinion article on the Guardian Public Leaders Network, FDA general secretary Dave Penman questions why Chancellor George Osborne - in his 2013 Budget - appears to exclude public servants from his ‘aspiration nation’.
22/03/2013 -
FDA celebrates Women's History Month
On Thursday 21 March, the FDA held a reception to mark Women's History Month and launch this year's Women into Leadership event.
21/03/2013 -
Budget 2013: the FDA's response
The FDA issued a press release and was quoted in The Telegraph, The Financial Times, City A.M. and online in the Local Government Chronicle responding to yesterday's Budget announcements.
18/03/2013 -
Civil Service Commission open week: 18 to 22 March 2013
The Civil Service Commission is holding a virtual open week from 18 to 22 March, providing an opportunity for civil servants and the public to ask questions about the Commission’s work.
15/03/2013 -
FDA speaks out at the 2013 TUC Women’s Conference
An FDA delegation of six attended the 2013 TUC Women's Conference, from 13 to 15 March at Congress House in central London. The union submitted motions on childcare and Counting Women In, the campaign for equal representation of women in government.
13/03/2013 -
Invest £312 million in HMRC to gain £8 billion, says ARC Budget submission
In a fully-costed submission to next week's Budget, the Association for Revenue and Customs says a further investment of £312 million in HMRC will deliver additional revenues to the UK of more than £8 billion, a return on investment of more than 26 to 1.
08/03/2013 -
Today is International Women’s Day
Across the world each year, thousands of events occur on 8 March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.
01/03/2013 -
FDA supports Work Your Proper Hours Day 2013
Today is Work Your Proper Hours Day. According to TUC research, this is the day when those who do unpaid overtime would start, on average, to get paid if they did all their unpaid work at the start of the year.
26/02/2013 -
FDA celebrates LGBT History Month
In mid-February, around 60 people from more than a dozen different departments attended the FDA LGBT History Month event, celebrating the lives and achievements of the LGBT community.
20/02/2013 -
FDA launches campaign highlighting how our members' work benefits the nation
The FDA will be launching a major campaign in April, to promote the union's case for reform and highlight how beneficial the work of FDA members is to the nation.
19/02/2013 -
IfG analysis shows sharp decline in SCS pay satisfaction rates, says FDA
The FDA today responded to the Institute for Government's supplementary analysis of the 2012 Civil Service People Survey. After additional SCS survey data was released, the IfG stated this is "probably in response to the FDA union, which claimed that the SCS were demoralised with two-thirds considering leaving the civil service".
15/02/2013 -
Take part in the FDA's working hours survey
The FDA is conducting a short, anonymous, online survey of members - and potential members - to find out how many extra hours they're working, whether there are options to work more flexibly and if they have any top tips on reducing excess working hours.
14/02/2013 -
Union responds to further consultation on Fair Deal
The FDA has responded to HM Treasury's further consultation on the Fair Deal reforms, which form part of the Public Service Pensions reform agreements.
13/02/2013 -
FDA provides evidence to PASC's inquiry into the future of the civil service
FDA general secretary Dave Penman today gave evidence to the Public Administration Select Committee's inquiry into the future of the civil service.
11/02/2013 -
FDA questions time period for Scottish independence process
FDA Scottish secretary, Jim Caldwell, was interviewed on the BBC Sunday Politics Scotland programme, in response to comments from First Minister Alex Salmond that other countries have taken just 15 months to complete the independence process.
06/02/2013 -
ARC informs Westminster Hall debate on HMRC capacity and resources
During yesterday's Westminster Hall HMRC debate, Catherine McKinnell - Shadow Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury – quoted a briefing from the Association of Revenue and Customs during a discussion over the return on investment in staff.
29/01/2013 -
Government faces "an exodus of talent" from a demoralised senior civil service, warns the FDA
As reported in today's Guardian, an FDA survey shows that the morale of two-thirds of senior civil servants is so low that they are considering leaving their job.
17/01/2013 -
Publicservice.co.uk runs poll on FDA general secretary’s view that civil service should be celebrated
Following yesterday’s interview of FDA general secretary Dave Penman on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, publicservice.co.uk is asking visitors to vote on whether the achievements of a smaller civil service should be celebrated.
16/01/2013 -
FDA general secretary responds to public criticism of civil servants in BBC interview
FDA general secretary Dave Penman was interviewed this morning on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, about recent public criticism by politicians about the civil service, and whether a major reform of the current civil service model is needed.
15/01/2013 -
FDA tells Ministers to engage with staff before the media
Responding to recent public discussion by politicians about the senior civil service, the FDA has today said that relations would be better if Ministers spent time engaging with staff rather than complaining to the media when their plans go awry.
14/01/2013 -
Cross Public Sector Development Day: 18 March 2013
The FDA – together with civil service, health and local government partners - is organising a Cross Public Sector Professional Development Day in Sheffield on 18 March 2013.
17/12/2012 -
'This is the moment for specialists', delegates told
"You should push open all the doors... this is the moment for specialists," development consultant and former SCS member, Richard Hillsdon, told delegates at the first Professions into Leadership conference held in central London on 12 December.
11/12/2012 -
FDA celebrates UK Disability History Month
The FDA marked UK Disability History Month yesterday by holding an event where disabled members could network and hear speeches from the civil service, TUC and disability groups.
05/12/2012 -
Autumn statement: FDA responds
The FDA responded today in the media to the Chancellor’s autumn statement.
30/11/2012 -
FDA equips reps with health and safety training
In partnership with the TUC, the FDA is running four-day courses for health and safety representatives, delivered in two, two-day parts.
23/11/2012 -
DfT and MOD among winners at Civil Service Awards
The Department for Transport’s Community Rail and Ambassador Project team has won the diversity and equality category of the 2012 Civil Service Awards, which exist to celebrate and promote innovation and improvement across central government.
14/11/2012 -
FDA responds to Department for Education review
The FDA responded today in the media to the publication of the Department for Education’s review, which puts forward a number of recommendations for the department including further job cuts.
13/11/2012 -
FDA member recognised for 'outstanding' union work
FDA member Fran Hunter has won the Unionlearn Southern and Eastern Region TUC union learning rep (ULR) of the year award, which is being presented today at the TUC in central London.
09/11/2012 -
Message from the FDA's general secretary about Wendy Jones
Wendy passed away peacefully in her sleep last night, surrounded by her family.
07/11/2012 -
Government needs to ‘grasp nettle’ on civil service pay, says union
Treasury minister David Gauke's comments reported in today's Times about the need to appropriately reward senior HMRC staff have been welcomed by the Association of Revenue and Customs (ARC).
06/11/2012 -
Union submits evidence on Public Service Pensions Bill
The Public Service Pensions Bill, which has reached the committee stage, contains a number of provisions about which FDA members will have concerns.
31/10/2012 -
FDA relaunches its Disabled Members' Network
The FDA’s Disabled Members’ Network (DMN) is being relaunched as a forum for members who consider themselves disabled or have an interest in disability issues.
25/10/2012 -
Emerging BME leaders attend FDA conference
The second BME into Leadership conference took place on Wednesday 24 October in central London.
24/10/2012 -
FDA anger over lack of consultation on review of terms and conditions
The FDA has expressed anger that there was been no prior consultation with the FDA – or other trade unions – about the Cabinet Office review of a number of key conditions of employment.
FDA marches for 'A Future That Works'
On Saturday 20 October, an estimated 150,000 people joined the TUC’s ‘A Future That Works’ march, organised to protest against the Coalition Government's spending cuts. Marches were also organised in Glasgow by the STUC, and in Belfast by the ICTU.
11/10/2012 -
Legal officer wins FDA iPad 3 competition
Alicia Heeneman is the winner of the FDA's iPad competition, after joining the union at Civil Service Live. Alicia is a Treasury Solicitor's department legal officer who works at DEFRA.
09/10/2012 -
FDA at the STUC Black Workers’ Conference 2012
An FDA delegation of two attended the 2012 STUC Black Workers’ Conference at the Menzies Hotel in Glasgow. The theme for this year’s conference - held on 6 and 7 October - was ‘Our Scotland, beyond colour’.
04/10/2012 -
ARC’s ‘pivotal’ role praised by HMRC chief executive
HMRC’s chief executive and permanent secretary, Lin Homer, praised the “pivotal” role played by ARC - the Association of Revenue and Customs - over recent months at a meeting of ARC London members on Monday 1 October in central London.
03/10/2012 -
FDA responds to Francis Maude speech
The FDA yesterday responded to the speech by Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude at the Institute for Government, in which he said that permanent secretaries have “blocked agreed government policy”.
01/10/2012 -
October is Black History Month
The FDA welcomes the start of Black History Month (BHM), which is held each year in the UK in October.
20/09/2012 -
Women into Leadership conference takes place in central London
The FDA’s third annual Women into Leadership event is taking place today in central London.
18/09/2012 -
Union launches equality and diversity plan
The FDA launched its Equality and Diversity Plan for 2012-13 at a well attended reception held at the union's head office on Monday 17 September.
13/09/2012 -
Wednesday at the TUC
The final day of Congress, FDA general secretary Dave Penman seconded a composite motion calling for the setting up of an independent commission on pensions.
12/09/2012 -
Tuesday at the TUC
Tuesday afternoon saw FDA general secretary Dave Penman elected onto the TUC general council, replacing outgoing general secretary Jonathan Baume.
11/09/2012 -
Sunday and Monday at the TUC
The FDA spoke on two motions on the first full day of Congress, which this year is taking place in Brighton from 9 to 12 September.
FDA health and safety representatives course: November 2012
The FDA has developed - in partnership with the TUC - a four-day course for health and safety representatives.
03/09/2012 -
Job vacancies - FDA assistant general secretary (two posts) and trade union negotiator
The FDA presents an exciting, unique opportunity to help drive and shape a dynamic, progressive trade union representing senior managers and professionals at the heart of government and the wider public sector.
29/08/2012 -
Union responds to MPs' report on the honours system
The FDA responded today in the media to the publication by the Commons Public Administration Select Committee of its report on the honours system.
15/08/2012 -
FDA general secretary questions ideology around delivery of services in BBC debate
FDA general secretary Dave Penman appeared this morning on the BBC Radio 4 today programme in a debate with businessman Sir Gerry Robinson about the merits of public and private sector service delivery.
Professions into Leadership conference: 12 December 2012
The FDA – together with other civil service union Prospect and Dods – is holding a one-day conference on 12 December aimed at specialists and professionals in government who are looking to move to either a specialist or non-specialist leadership role.
07/08/2012 -
FDA seminars: 12 September and 2 October 2012
The FDA is running two seminars in conjunction with the Central School of Speech and Drama aimed at developing personal impact.
03/08/2012 -
Union condemns political attack at the expense of civil servants
The FDA has today publicly rejected the Labour Party's politically motivated attack on the Government at the expense of civil servants.
30/07/2012 -
Greening the Workplace seminar: 14 September 2012
The FDA is holding a Greening the Workplace seminar on Friday 14 September at ACAS head office, Euston Tower, 286 Euston Road, London NW1 3JJ.
30/07/2012 -
Autumn seminars: Effective Presentations with PowerPoint and Introduction to Social Media
The FDA - in conjunction with the WEA - is holding two IT seminars in September and October.
25/07/2012 -
MPs propose new oversight of business appointment rules
In its report published today, the Public Administration Select Committee has called for statutory ethics regulation for public servants who leave the public sector for roles in the private sector.
19/07/2012 -
FDA attends the Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival and Rally
For the first time, the FDA was present at this year's annual Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival. The union had a stall at the festival and the FDA banner was carried at the rally by members, staff and members of the FDA Executive Committee.
11/07/2012 -
FDA welcomes election of Frances O’Grady as TUC general secretary
The FDA has welcomed the election of Frances O’Grady as TUC general secretary. O'Grady, who was nominated by the FDA and the majority of other affiliated unions, takes over from Brendan Barber when he retires at the end of this year.
11/07/2012 -
FDA defends civil servants against unfair censure in its evidence to the Lords’ Constitution Committee
FDA general secretary Dave Penman robustly defended the right of civil servants not to be unfairly censured by select committees when he gave evidence to the House of Lord's Constitution Committee this morning.
10/07/2012 -
FDA at the 2012 TUC LGBT Conference
An FDA delegation of four attended the TUC Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) Conference on 5 and 6 July, held at Congress House in central London. The theme of this year's conference was 'Against austerity, for solidarity'.
10/07/2012 -
Win a iPad 3
Join the FDA before the end of September and enter our competition to win a third generation Apple iPad.
09/07/2012 -
FDA banner on display at World Pride 2012
The FDA's new equality banner was carried for the first time at Saturday's World Pride procession, which marched through central London on 7 July.
04/07/2012 -
FDA at Civil Service Live 2012
Civil Service Live opened at Olympia in West London yesterday, giving attendees the chance to hear from - and ask questions of - high-profile speakers, as well as take part in workshops and visit exhibition stands.
26/06/2012 -
FDA responds to Radio 4’s criticism of the quality of Ofsted inspectors
The FDA has raised concerns about the recruitment of Ofsted inspectors, due to falling salary levels and new prime time contracts.
19/06/2012 -
FDA responds to publication of the Civil Service Reform Plan
The FDA responded today in the media to the publication of the long-awaited Civil Service Reform Plan.
18/06/2012 -
Managers sought for research on 30 November strike action
An FDA fast stream member is conducting research on managerial trade unionism, with a specific emphasis on how civil service managers experienced the strike action on 30 November 2011.
18/06/2012 -
Survey of union learning reps
Unionlearn, the learning and skills arm of the TUC, is carrying out a survey of union learning reps (ULRs) to help it improve its work and the service it provides to unions.
14/06/2012 -
FDA responds to Daily Telegraph story on pay reform
The FDA today responded to the Daily Telegraph story, "Under performing civil servants face pay cuts", about government proposals for a system of 'earn-back' to address under-performance.
12/06/2012 -
‘Scrounger rhetoric’ fought against at the 2012 TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference
Five delegates and one visitor represented the FDA at the 2012 TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference. Held at Congress House, central London, the theme of this year’s event was ‘Resisting Austerity’.
11/06/2012 -
FDA warns of civil service exodus
Dave Penman, who becomes FDA general secretary on 2 July, has warned of an exodus of senior civil servants to the private sector, unless the Government addresses the lack of fair reward.
07/06/2012 -
Unlocking the SCS: 28 June 2012
Aimed at addressing the concerns of staff below the SCS who are uncertain about their career path, the latest Unlocking the SCS conference takes place on 28 June 2012. The event - organised by Westminster Explained and sponsored by the FDA - will be held in central London.
18/05/2012 -
Report from the 2012 FDA Annual Delegate Conference
The FDA's annual conference, attended by nearly 200 senior public servant delegates, took place in central London yesterday. FDA general secretary Jonathan Baume and TUC general secretary Brendan Barber, both due to step down from their posts this year, were the key speakers.
16/05/2012 -
Demands for 'a fair package' are growing, says FDA general secretary designate Dave Penman in today's Guardian
Writing in today's Guardian, FDA general secretary designate Dave Penman explains that senior civil servants' demands for an appropriate 'total reward' package - decent pension provision and fair pay - are continuing to grow.
15/05/2012 -
David Penman elected FDA General Secretary
David Penman was today elected unopposed as the next FDA General Secretary. He will take up office on 2 July 2012 and work a short period of handover with Jonathan Baume, the current General Secretary, who stands down in early autumn.
14/05/2012 -
Prospect and GMB members vote to accept new pension scheme from 2015
Two more unions with members in the civil service have voted to accept the Government's proposals for a new pension scheme from 2015.
10/05/2012 -
FDA takes part in the 2012 TUC Black Workers' Conference
An FDA delegation of five, along with four visitors, attended the 2012 TUC Black Workers’ Conference at Congress House in central London.
09/05/2012 -
Pensions 2015 ballot result: members vote to accept proposed scheme
FDA members have voted to accept the deal negotiated with the Government for new pension arrangements from 2015. However, the union was clear that this result should not be interpreted as members’ endorsement of the new scheme.
30/04/2012 -
Union launches Professionalism in Public Delivery project
Around 50 delegates attended the launch of the FDA’s two-year Professionalism in Public Delivery project, which took place in central London on 25 April 2012.
30/04/2012 -
Jonathan Baume to be appointed Civil Service Commissioner
Jonathan Baume is to be appointed as a Civil Service Commissioner after he stands down in the autumn as FDA General Secretary. This appointment is for a fixed five-year term, and is part-time.
19/04/2012 -
FDA’s RPI-CPI legal challenge to end
The FDA has reluctantly concluded, following advice from Counsel, that the union will not progress an appeal to the Supreme Court on the Government's decision to switch the uprating of public sector pensions from RPI to CPI.
16/04/2012 -
Union opens membership ballot on 2015 pension scheme
The FDA has today opened its membership ballot on the Government’s final offer on a new civil service pension scheme from 2015.
05/04/2012 -
Report reinforces union's arguments on pay
An Incomes Data Services pay report - jointly commissioned by the FDA and Prospect to look at various aspects of the Government's pay policy - has been published.
02/04/2012 -
FDA holds reception to mark International Women's Month
On Thursday 29 March, the FDA held a reception in central London to celebrate International Women's Month.
30/03/2012 -
Professionalism in Public Delivery project launch: 25 April 2012
The FDA's ULF Professionalism in Public Delivery project launch event is on 25 April 2012.
22/03/2012 -
FDA to ballot members on final pension offer
The FDA Executive Committee met yesterday to consider the Government's final offer on future civil service pension arrangements, and how the FDA should respond.
21/03/2012 -
FDA speaks out at the 2012 TUC Women’s Conference
An FDA delegation of six attended the 2012 TUC Women's Conference, from 14 to 16 March at Congress House in central London.
20/03/2012 -
Court of Appeal rejects union’s challenge to RPI CPI ruling
The Court of Appeal has today decided to uphold the High Court ruling in favour of the Government's switch from RPI to CPI for uprating public sector pensions.
19/03/2012 -
Union runs forensic science training event for prosecutors
The FDA - in partnership with Skills for Justice, the CPS, the Met Police and other stakeholders - recently held a forensic science training event for Crown prosecutors in central London.
16/03/2012 -
Union responds to arguments about civil servants' accountability
The FDA responded yesterday in the media to arguments being put forward by Margaret Hodge, chair of the Public Accounts Committee, that civil servants should be accountable to Parliament.
13/03/2012 -
Getting Plugged into LinkedIn workshop: 1.45pm–5.00pm on Friday 30 March in central London
The FDA is running an interactive workshop on LinkedIn on Friday 30 March in central London.
09/03/2012 -
Unions receive Government’s final offer on civil service pension scheme
Following months of intensely complex and difficult negotiations, the FDA has now received the Government’s final offer of their proposals to change the civil service pension scheme. Final offers have also been made today in the health and teaching pension schemes.
08/03/2012 -
FDA celebrates International Women’s Day
Today is International Women's Day. Across the world, thousands of events occur on this date each year to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.