Prospect calls for rational conversation about civil service reform
Prospect has called for a “calm and rational conversation” about civil service reform in response to an article from Baroness Finn which branded the civil service “aloof, arrogant, remote and centralized.”
Prospect, which represents thousands of civil servants, has long been advocating changes such as the way that STEM skills are valued and utilised.
Prospect Deputy General Secretary Garry Graham said:
“All successful organisations are in a process of constant change and improvement and we have been very clear that we want to engage with the government on civil service reform, for example with relation to STEM skills. We have been frustrated that calls for reform have been used as a slogan, devoid of real policy content, and that bashing hard-working civil servants is often used as a smokescreen to distract from the failings of ministers. The reality is that the civil service has delivered magnificently during the pandemic and helped navigate through the challenges of Brexit whilst politicians were in chaos. There are never grounds for complacency however and we need a calm and rational conversation with government about how we can ensure the civil service continues improve so it can best serve the public.”
“The UK faces huge challenges both nationally and internationally. Whether it is climate change, decarbonising the economy, dealing with the pandemic, defending the UK, kickstarting and reshaping the economy in a post Brexit world- we have argued that STEM skills are vital to addressing these issues and STEM skills need to be at the heart of policy development, delivery and evaluation. That capacity and capability and needs to be bolstered. After a decade of pay freezes, restraint and head count reduction- ministers need to reflect on how that is done. Similarly ministers need to reflect on the messages they are sending and the leadership they provide. Too often, when ministers talk about encouraging risk taking and innovation- if things don’t work as hoped- it is public servants whose necks are on the block. Ministers need to take responsibility and support their staff.”
“Experts seem to be back in vogue with this government- and our members are key to helping the UK deal with the challenges we face in the public and the private sector. It is time for knocking copy and sloganizing to stop and proper engagement to start as to the skills, capacity, capability and support needed for the civil service and our public services to best support society and the economy.”
