Update: Civil Service Compensation Scheme

The FDA, together with the other civil service unions, last week met with Tessa Jowell, minister for the Cabinet Office.

Dave Penman, FDA head of operations, said: "At the meeting we expressed our anger at the imposition of the new Compensation Scheme and the lack of meaningful negotiation that has taken place, despite undertakings given when we last met the minister in September."

The minister made clear the Government's intention to press ahead with implementing the new scheme, but offered a further dialogue. This will include the provision of further information on the costing of the scheme, which the FDA has been seeking since September. The parameters around this discussion would appear to be very limited, but will be held in advance of the amendments being laid before Parliament.

Penman added: "Whilst further dialogue is welcome, we have no great expectation that these discussions will produce the substantive change we are seeking and the minister made clear the Government is committed to implementing a new scheme on 1 April 2010.

"The FDA will of course take up any opportunity to continue dialogue and seek to influence the proposals to our members benefit. However we continue to plan for a potential judicial review."

Members will be updated further once these discussions have taken place.