FDA calls for pay parity on IfG panel discussing Fast Stream reform

FDA National Officer for the Fast Stream Robert Eagleton took part in the Institute for Government’s (IfG) panel event, ‘How can the Fast Stream deliver more for the civil service?’.

This event was based on the think tank’s report on Fast Stream reform, which reflects many of the FDA’s own recommendations, including on pay parity. Eagleton took part in this discussion, which was chaired by the IfG’s Programme Director Alex Thomas, alongside fellow panelists Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at NatWest Group, Rachel Hopcroft CBE, Director of HR at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and former Head of Fast Stream Sonia Pawson, and author of the IfG’s report, Teodor Grama. The panel discussed different aspects of Fast Stream reform, including pay, recruitment, retention, training, and development.

Eagleton began by celebrating the Fast Stream’s success in becoming one of the UK’s most prestigious talent development programmes, highlighting that it received a record number of applications last year. However, he went on to caution that this recruitment success risks being undermined by the Fast Stream’s retention challenge; ensuring those who join the scheme, complete the scheme.

The FDA National Officer noted the IfG’s finding that 36% of former Fast Streamers left the scheme early, adding that the FDA’s own research shows that dissatisfaction with pay is the overwhelming cause. He called for pay parity between Fast Streamers and HEOs and SEOs in equivalent roles, saying “the feedback we hear from our members is that pay is definitely the biggest change they want to see… It would help improve recruitment and retention, particularly among those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.”

Eagleton also highlighted that while applicants perceive Fast Stream pay and benefits to be “strong”, this “drops off massively” once they enter the scheme and realise they are doing the same work as a HEO or SEO but for significantly less pay.

On the training opportunities offered by the scheme, Eagleton said, “a concern we have heard is that Fast Streamers aren’t given enough experience in management”, but welcomed steps taken to address this, such as the introduction of management training modules. Citing the economics scheme, the National Officer also said that feedback from FDA members suggests that the centralisation of the Fast Stream has, in some areas, led to the removal of learning and development opportunities.  

Eagleton also argued that Fast Streamers should be given choice over where they work and that mandatory relocation “feels anachronistic” in light of the government’s Places for Growth agenda and the ambition to move 50% of Fast Stream postings outside London by 2030. Eagleton welcomed the implementation of the regional pilots, and called on them to be expanded and made permanent in the future.

You can watch a recording of the full event on the IfG’s YouTube channel.