FDA warns of pre-election politicisation dangers

FDA general secretary Jonathan Baume appeared on BBC One's The Politics Show on Sunday 14 February warning of the dangers of civil service resources being used for party political purposes.

Baume said: "There's always a grey area between what is legitimate information and what is, frankly, just getting over a political argument and boosting the Government's chances in an election."

He added: "It's very important for the civil service not only that money is being spent wisely, we have a duty to help protect tax payers' money, but also that civil service resources are not being drawn into an election campaign..."

The programme looked at Government spending on advertising and marketing, which it found had risen by almost 40% in the past year. The Putting the Frontline First: Smarter Government White Paper, launched in early December 2009, proposed cutting spending on advertising and communications by 25%.

FDA general secretary Jonathan Baume on The Politics Show 14 February 2010
(24 minutes 25 seconds into programme)