Annual Delegate Conference 2025 catch up
Catch up on the addresses by guest speakers at this year’s Annual Delegate Conference.

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”.
Latest news
-
Integrated Public Sector Pay and Workforce Policy ‘quietly hard-wires job losses into pay’ creating ‘permanent squeeze’ on staff, says FDA
FDA National Officer for Scotland Allan Sampson has responded to the Integrated Public Sector Pay and Workforce Policy, announced in the 2026 Scottish Budget.
-
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 to the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Darren Jones MP, Secretary for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting MP, and Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride MP on key issues relating to civil service reform.
-
FDA calls for rapid improvement following “unacceptable” pension administrator performance
Following the transfer of administration of the civil service pension scheme from MyCSP to Capita at the end of last year, the FDA continue to hear from hundreds of current and retired members who are continuing to be impacted by service levels.