United Kingdom unions representing Public Servants are calling on the Government of Prime Minister, Liz Truss to drive improved relations between Ministers and officials.
Heads of the FDA and Prospect unions, Dave Penman and Mike Clancy said the Government of former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson had “unleashed a relentless assault on the dedicated officials serving the public and created a very damaging culture”.
Under Mr Johnson, Ministers launched regular attacks Public Servants, including criticism of working from home, flexitime and “woke” training sessions, with then Minister for Government Efficiency, Jacob Rees-Mogg one of the most critical voices.
New Home Secretary, Suella Braverman (pictured) is another who has regularly attacked the Public Service, accusing officials of “Remain bias” and describing diversity jobs as “part of the problem, not the solution”.
Meanwhile, officials have been threatened with 91,000 job cuts, pay rises have been eclipsed by soaring inflation, and the cost-of-living crisis is hitting Government workers hard with a survey suggesting that one in five officials are resorting to food banks.
Writing to Minister for the Cabinet Office, Edward Argar, the union heads said they hoped the appointment of Ms Truss as Prime Minister could provide the impetus for a “reset” in the relationship between the Government and officials.
However, Ms Truss showed little sign of seeking a truce with the bureaucracy during the Conservative Party leadership campaign, pledging to stamp out “woke Civil Service culture that strays into antisemitism” and scrap diversity and inclusion roles.
A Government spokesperson said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Civil Service for the outstanding job they do in delivering for the public.”
London, 1 October 2022
