UNITED KINGDOM
Figures obtained under the UK’s Freedom of Information Act have revealed what the Institute of Government (IOG) has called a “‘hokey-pokey of staff moves clearly going to damage the work of the Civil Service”.
Brexit Program Director for the IOG, Joe Owen said that up to three-quarters of the PS employees transferred to emergency preparations for the country’s exit from the European Union (Brexit) before the original 29 March deadline have since been stood down.
However, hundreds of Whitehall staff are now being reassigned to get ready for the new 31 October exit date.
Public Service experts said moving the date showed the damage being done to the normal work of Government.
Mr Owen said everyone who was moved was leaving behind a day job, would require new training, and might have little experience in the area to which they moved.
“If we do leave without a deal, it’s far from clear how many more moves would be needed and at what point those gaps that have been left would be filled,” Mr Owen said.
Lord Kerslake (pictured), who was head of the Public Service between 2011 and 2014, told the British Broadcasting Corporation that the number of movements was quite extraordinary considering the relative size of the Departments.
“It is a testament to the leadership of the Civil Service that they managed to pull this off,” Lord Kerslake said.
“However, the disruptive effect will have been significant and will have added to the general Westminster and Whitehall paralysis as a consequence of Brexit.”
A Cabinet Office spokesperson said the Public Service was delivering the Government’s commitment to leaving the EU alongside other priorities.
“We are equipping ourselves with the right people and skills across Departments to make this happen,” the spokesperson said.
London, 9 July 2019
