FDA General Secretary Dave Penman used his speech to argue that civil servants are “hungry for reform” and called on the government to commit to “a clear plan for improved public services and a people plan to match” with a particular focus on pay
Journalist and broadcaster Lewis Goodall discussed the relationship between ministers and civil servants and the future of ‘mission-led government’ with delegates, predicting that the government’s appetite for experimentation may grow over time, having started out a year ago with a “pretty blank” plan.
Discussing the issue of civil service reform Gould told delegates: “The civil service is an amazing constitution, but it can get in the way. It’s deeply embedded and set up for a slower, less complex world, more hierarchical. Departments are far too siloed when all the challenges we face are deeply complex”.
If Prime Minister Andy Burnham wants a different political culture, he needs to start with the Ministerial Code says Dave Penman.
After comparing the results of our recent carers’ survey with our findings from 2020, Amelia Dowler shares the positives as well as the FDA’s recommendations to help carers within their civil service careers.
Tommy Newell speaks to Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government Joe Griffin about leading an organisation through contraction, working with unions to shape change, and the promise of AI to make public services more human.
