UNITED KINGDOM
The head of the union representing senior UK Public Servants has hit back at MPs criticising the bonuses awarded to his members, accusing the lawmakers of “blind prejudice and breathtaking ignorance”.
General Secretary of the FDA union, Dave Penman said the Government’s own analysis showed senior PS staff were paid half as much as their private sector counterparts.
Prime Minister, Theresa May’s adviser on leaving the European Union (Brexit), Oliver Robbins (pictured) was singled out for attack from Brexiteer MPs after the Department for Exiting the European Union annual accounts revealed he received a bonus in the £15,000–£20,000 (A$26,500–$35,400) bracket before he was moved to the Cabinet Office in October.
The payment was derided by Brexit-backing Conservative MPs, including Conor Burns, who described it as “unbelievable”, and Sir Bill Cash, who said it was “breathtaking” that Robbins had received the bonus given the current state of Brexit negotiations.
However, Mr Penman said performance-related payments were paid only to a minority of staff and went through a rigorous review process.
He said it was ironic that some would seek to point the finger of blame at PS employees for the current negotiating position on Brexit, rather than the political leadership.
“Only last month, the UK Civil Service was publicly praised as the best in the world by the Irish Deputy Prime Minister, for managing to keep the Brexit negotiations on track despite the political turmoil and lack of clear political leadership,” Mr Penman said.
London, 24 July 2018
