The FDA has criticised the government’s decision to delay the implementation of reforms to the performance management system for Senior Civil Servants (SCS), and the announcement that the existing performance management policy, with some adjustments, will apply for 2022/23. The adjustments will see those at SCS level ranked in one of four categories, with an expectation that 5% of staff will be ranked in the lowest category.
As reported by Civil Service World, FDA Assistant General Secretary Lucille Thirlby described the updated guidance as “a retrograde and unnecessary step”, adding that “it is hard to comprehend why any organisation would arbitrarily decide that 5% of its staff must be underperforming”.
In a message to FDA members in the Senior Civil Service, Thirlby further expressed her disappointment at the decision, and added that the FDA had made further representations to the Senior Salaries Review Body, making clear the union’s unhappiness at the approach:
“It is disappointing that all the work the Cabinet Office has undertaken to change and improve the Performance Management system will not be realised for another year.”
This week, the FDA attended the 2026 TUC Congress in Brighton. FDA delegates spoke to and moved motions on a range of topics, including the review of the civil service, supporting effective management, accountability and safe contracting in the NHS, and the importance of an evidence-led approach to regulation.
Yesterday, FDA staff and reps attended the 2026 Fast Stream annual Base Camp, welcoming this year’s new joiners to the scheme and sharing the benefits of FDA membership with them.
The FDA’s National Officer for Northern Ireland Robert Murtagh has written to Speaker of the Assembly, Edwin Poots, asking him to remind MLAs that when officials appear before the Assembly, impartiality must not be brought into question.
