Margaret Haig

Civil servant and union rep. @FDA_union Executive Committee member and former President. Poet. Singer. School governor. Opinions my own.

[Dave Penman @FDAGenSec]

Pleased to see vital action being taken to address these terrible crimes.

When Labour came to power with a promise to half VAWG the FDA surveyed our members in the CPS, including hundreds of RASSO prosecutors, to identify what administrative challenges they face when securing justice and what can be done to help remove these barriers.

Our subsequent report, which explored our members’ insights into the CPS’s role in increasing RASSO prosecutions, called for a number of changes reflected in this latest government announcement. These included specialist RASSO courts to improve timeliness and support for victims, more effective guidance for juries and judges, and ensuring RASSO trails are never placed on “floating” lists.

These changes are welcome, but the government must ensure that the entire criminal justice system receives additional and sustained funding to improve outcomes for victims. This includes a full commitment to funding the National Operating Model and Operation Soteria and producing a workforce strategy for the CPS, with a long-term strategy to recruit high quality criminal lawyers.

[Saj Ahmad @Sajidah]

#Congress26 backed the call to recognise the vital role of NHS managers and invest properly in the leadership and management our health service needs.

Proud to have moved Motion 52 at #TUC2026 on behalf of @FDA_union and @MiPhealth

Motion passed. Now TUC policy. 💪🏽

[Dave Penman @FDAGenSec]

Although the civil service has become the convenient go to excuse for political failure, it is the permanent and impartial civil service that ensures the lights stay on, regardless of political turmoil.

This is why it is vital the government’s review of the civil service looks not only at efficiency and delivery, but at how to safeguard the core values of the service.

[FDA union @FDA_union]

“If we want government to even have a chance of succeeding between now and May, we must keep civil servants out of the political crossfire”

@FDA_NI writes for @BelfastLive on the importance of protecting civil service impartiality amidst “febrile political atmosphere”.

https://t.co/oPlETKmjXy

[Margaret Haig @haig_margaret]

It’s inspiring to see the support for Fr Alexander’s family—thanks to everyone who has donated/shared. We’re helping Ella & Alex with their medium-term needs after such a sudden loss. Please consider sharing or donating: your kindness makes a difference. https://t.co/ixVb52tXle

[Margaret Haig @haig_margaret]

@FDA_union @TUCCymru Congratulations Jane! What brilliant news! All the best for a successful Presidency.

[Dave Penman @FDAGenSec]

Statement from the FDA regarding legal action launched today by Sir Olly Robbins, challenging his dismissal:

[FDA union @FDA_union]

"The future of public services should not be a choice between people and technology. The real opportunity lies in combining the strengths of both. To achieve that, the government must work openly with staff and unions, not treat them as obstacles to change."

FDA National Officer Matt Newman outlines concerns around DBT's AI-enabled restructuring programme for @CSWnews.

https://t.co/3PCr7ODPn4

[Jane Austen @austendaily]

The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.

[Margaret Haig @haig_margaret]

One of my last duties as President!

[FDA union @FDA_union]

FDA members recently came together at One Great George Street in Westminster for their Annual Delegate Conference (ADC) 2026 🤝

Hear from our President Margaret Haig as she reflects on this year's conference. From debating and voting on the policies that will shape FDA's priorities for the year ahead, to Q&As and sessions with expert guest speakers including Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Darren Jones and i Paper’s Political Editor Caroline Wheeler, ADC 2026 was a day to remember.

Thank you to every delegate who attended and spoke on the day. Your voices and votes are integral to shaping our priorities and driving the union's work forward.

#FDAADC #TradeUnion #CivilService

[Dave Penman @FDAGenSec]

Can we just nip this ‘officials have started to slow down’ nonsense in the bud.

They are, & always will be, working their socks off for the country and this govt, despite the way they are being treated at the moment. As they did for previous govts who treated them equally badly.

[Dave Penman @FDAGenSec]

The chill this has sent through the civil service is no surprise. Sir Olly's dismissal comes just two months after the PM sacked the Cabinet Secretary after extensive anonymous briefing.

Government only works when there is trust between ministers and civil servants.

[Dave Penman @FDAGenSec]

As I told @ShelaghFogarty, Sir Olly Robbins outlined today that there's a reason the vetting process is kept separate from ministers - to protect the integrity of the process, and ultimately national security.

[Paul Nowak @nowak_paul]

Great to join so many great trade union sisters at #TUCWomen2026

Tackling violence against women & girls, combatting online misogyny, delivering fair pay, making AI work for workers, making most of new employment rights, building our reps base and much more on agenda.

✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼👏

[Dave Penman @FDAGenSec]

Why only have one Minister for Finance at FDA’s NI Annual Conference when you can have two!

Fascinating reflections on the constitutional challenges of the UK, as always from Mark Drakeford MS, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Welsh language and former First Minster of Wales.

[Dave Penman @FDAGenSec]

Great to hear @JohnODowdSF MLA, Minister of Finance in the Northern Ireland Executive, with responsibility for the NICS, address the FDA Northern Ireland Conference on the scale of the fiscal challenge in NI and need for a fairer financial settlement combined with transformation of public services.

[Dave Penman @FDAGenSec]

My response to today's announcement of Sir Chris Wormald's departure as Cabinet Secretary.

[Margaret Haig @haig_margaret]

It was rather daunting facilitating a breakout at #WiL26 but thanks to the participants, we had a really great session on managing difficult discussions @FDA_union

[Women into Leadership @WiLeadership_UK]

A big thank you to Cath Baxter @ProVoiceCoach and Margaret Haig for delivering our second set of breakout sessions, 'Communicating for results' and 'Managing difficult conversations'. Time now for lunch before we resume with the afternoon sessions. #WiL26

[Dave Penman @FDAGenSec]

I think you'll find it was misogyny @MrHarryCole

[Margaret Haig @haig_margaret]

Our #WiL26 Cardiff session concludes with Abi Tierney sharing her own experience that it is not just about ascending in a leadership journey, but those with whom you climb. Find people to lift you, and lift others in your turn 👏👏👏