Standing up for civil servants
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FDA and Fabian Society launch new AI report
Report co-authors Sasjkia Otto and Aoife Donaghy, alongside former No.10 Downing Street Innovation Fellow Alexander De…
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Back civil servants to ‘rewire Whitehall’, report urges
Involve civil servants and properly invest in AI to achieve the productivity and savings the government…
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Calls for significant cuts to the NI public sector workforce risks “scapegoating” NICS
The FDA’s National Officer for Northern Ireland Robert Murtagh has pushed back against calls for significant…
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FDA responds to Reform UK plans for political civil service appointments
The FDA has responded to reports that Reform UK plans to replace permanent secretaries and directors…
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Government’s response to Home-Based Working Select Committee recommendations a “missed opportunity”
The FDA has criticised the government’s response to recommendations made by the House of Lords Select…
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TUC Women’s Conference 2026
A delegation of FDA members attended TUC Women’s Conference in Bournemouth.
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“An outstanding leader with a proven track record” – FDA responds to Dame Antonia Romeo appointment
The FDA has welcomed the appointment of former Home Office Permanent Secretary Dame Antonia Romeo as Cabinet…
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“New low” for government’s relationship with civil service – FDA responds following departure of Cabinet Secretary Chris Wormald
The FDA has responded to the announcement that Sir Chris Wormald has departed the role of…
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“Farcical” to wait until 2030 to make decision on restoration and renewal of parliament, says FDA
The FDA has responded to the latest publication of UK Parliament’s Restoration and Renewal Board, ‘Delivering restoration…
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NICS reform can only be delivered with political leadership, says FDA
The FDA has called for strong political leadership to address the structural issues facing the Northern…
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FDA Ofsted report 2025: The people behind inspections
After a barrage of media criticism and calls for abolition, it’s been a difficult period for…
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Penman questions Chief Secretary to the PM on how civil servants can trust they won’t be scapegoated by ministers for taking risks
The FDA has responded to a series of civil service reforms announced by Chancellor of the…
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Penman challenges senior political figures on civil service reform at Institute for Government conference
During the Institute for Government’s annual conference, FDA General Secretary Dave Penman questioned speakers Chief Secretary…
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Why anonymous attacks must stop: Dave Penman on the “damage” caused by briefings
FDA General Secretary Dave Penman on the untold damage done by anonymous briefings against the civil…
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Member focus: mentee into mentor
Member Sabrina Schalz applied for the Fast Stream (FS) whilst pregnant, and took her baby with…
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Reform UK’s plans to cut swathes of corporate functions without impacting frontline services “unrealistic”, says FDA
The FDA has responded to Reform UK’s proposals for civil service reform if the party enters…
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Prosecutors are undervalued, underpaid and overworked, says FDA responding to CJI NI report
The FDA has responded to a new report from the Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJI…
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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…
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Lords Committee report highlights lack of evidence behind civil service 60% office working mandate
A new report from the House of Lords Select Committee on Home-Based Working, which features evidence…
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Education Minister Paul Givan must provide clarity over Israel visit – FDA NI National Officer Robert Murtagh
The FDA’s National Officer for Northern Ireland Robert Murtagh has called on Minister of Education Paul…
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No.10 briefings against Cabinet Secretary Chris Wormald “stink of political cowardice”, Penman says
FDA General Secretary Dave Penman has condemned briefings from No.10 sources that Cabinet Secretary Chris Wormald…
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“Significant gaps” in current Northern Ireland standards regime, says Murtagh
FDA National Officer for Northern Ireland Robert Murtagh has called for a strengthened standards regime in…
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FDA delegation attends TUC Congress 2025
This week, the FDA attended the 2025 TUC Congress in Brighton. FDA delegates spoke to and…
