United Kingdom Public Servants working in the communications area have reacted with rage after news that their jobs were under threat was leaked to the media before they were told.
Executive Director of Government Communications, Alex Aiken (pictured) apologised “for the way you learnt about these proposed changes”.
However, Mr Aiken confirmed redundancies might be needed given the Government wants the Public Service to have just 30 staff, or “preferably fewer”, dealing with journalists.
“I recognise it has hurt people and I’m sorry about that, and I will work hard to regain your trust,” Mr Aiken said.
He confirmed meetings with heads of human resources would begin immediately with the plans for removing many jobs agreed by Christmas and rolled out by March 2021.
The announcement was slammed by many Public Servants.
One staff member said Mr Aiken was “completely tone deaf” while another attacked the “shockingly poor communications”.
Another voiced incredulity that the order was coming “from a PM who bumbles his way through every media appearance — that’s not political, that’s fact”.
Mr Aiken said the plan to switch to a so-called “single-employer model”, where all communications staff were managed by the Cabinet Office rather than their individual Departments, was originally agreed in 2017 but was postponed because of that year’s election.
He said the move would lead to “fewer, better, cross-Government campaigns”, coupled with the start of a televised Downing Street briefing that marked a “fundamental and radical change”.
Deputy General Secretary of the Prospect union, Gary Graham said the Government’s approach was crass and insensitive.
“Our members have been working tirelessly to support the country and keep the public informed through this pandemic — and this is how they get rewarded,” Mr Graham said.
Meanwhile it has been revealed that the head of the Public Service, Sir Mark Sedwill will receive a payout of almost £250,000 ($A450,900) when he steps down in September.
Sir Mark confirmed he was quitting the Public Service last month after Prime Minister, Boris Johnson announced plans to split his role as Cabinet Secretary and National Security Adviser into two posts.
His exit follows reports of tensions between him and senior members of Mr Johnson’s team.
London, 10 July 2020
