UNITED KINGDOM
A survey of leading UK Public Servants has found that three-quarters are more negative about the process for leaving the European Union (Brexit) than they were a year ago.
The poll by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) also found that around half of those surveyed said their organisations were not receiving enough information to enable them to plan effectively for Brexit.
CIPFA, the professional body for accountants working in the Public Service, called on the Government to shed light on the nature of the future relationship with the EU in enough time to allow the Public Service to respond.
Most respondents — 83 per cent — said they thought Brexit would be highly detrimental or detrimental to public services, while just 5 per cent said it would be highly beneficial or beneficial.
Some 44 per cent said they were receiving an insufficient amount of information from the Government, which was hampering plans to prepare for Britain’s exit.
Chief Executive of CIPFA, Rob Whiteman, who is also former Chief Executive of the UK Border Force, said it had been two years since the Brexit vote and 14 months since Article 50 was triggered, yet the majority of Public Service leaders still felt the Government was keeping them in the dark.
“As the Government must want a Brexit dividend to be a more sustainable and effective public sector, it is crucial that light is shed on what the UK’s future relationship with the EU will look like and soon,” Mr Whiteman said.
“Otherwise, Public Service leaders won’t have the time or information to respond.”
London, 28 June 2018
