Loz Hutton

Foodie, trade unionist (President of @ARC_Union 2020-22 & 2022-24) and sometime grumpy bastard

[Dave Penman @FDAGenSec]

Renaming departments isn’t real change and everyone claims AI is the answer. More political appointees just means greater churn and turmoil when ministers change - as they inevitably will. This is rehash, not radical.

[Dave Penman @FDAGenSec]

What does that actually mean? The current redundancy terms were negotiated with the 2010 Coalition gov. They incentivise voluntary redundancy because finding a voluntary way out of job reductions is better for staff & employers. Staff don’t get to pick, employers choose who goes.

[Dave Penman @FDAGenSec]

As I told @EvanHD, civil servants do not choose that career if they are uncomfortable serving different ministers or governments of different political persuasions.

But they do get frustrated when change is happening for change’s sake.

This is what gets in the way of good government.

[Dave Penman @FDAGenSec]

I argued on @BBCPM that the political turmoil we’ve seen demonstrates why an impartial and permanent civil service works.

Ministers come and go but the work of government needs to continue.

[Dave Penman @FDAGenSec]

Tell me Liz, when you were a minister for all those years did you see the civil service act politically to attack your opponents?

This is shameful from a former minister. Peddling conspiracy theories for clicks.

[Dave Penman @FDAGenSec]

Standing up for members, supporting careers, and delivering real outcomes. That’s what makes us different, that’s what makes us strong, and that’s why we’re the fastest growing union in the country.

A pleasure to deliver my speech to the Annual Delegate Conference, celebrating the strength of our union.

[Dave Penman @FDAGenSec]

It’s starting to feel like anybody with any opinion about anything can get a column published if they just shoehorn in a criticism of hybrid working in the civil service at the end.

https://t.co/xicTt4t0w3

[Dave Penman @FDAGenSec]

As I told @TalkTV, work evolves all the time. The evidence shows that, when it's managed well, hybrid working does deliver efficiencies and productivity.

[FDA union @FDA_union]

Speaking to @TalkTV, @FDAGenSec says: "Evidence has been given to parliament to show there's no difference in productivity whether you're working from home or working in an office."

[FDA union @FDA_union]

"What makes a good and efficient government is stability, clear priorities for ministers and the right resources and skills to be able to deliver for the public"

Speaking to the Storm & Alexis show, @FDAGenSec pushes back against claims that hybrid working damages productivity.

@JeremyVineOn5

[FDA union @FDA_union]

"We hear from civil servants and members... where their plans have had to be put in the bin" because "they don't have their pension money"

FDA Assistant General Secretary Adrian Prandle discusses the human impact of the civil service pensions crisis, as members have their family, medical, and financial plans "shattered".

[Allan Sampson @FDAallan]

Let’s be clear. Civil servants are delivering public services every day across Scotland. Office occupancy isn’t a measure of productivity. Hybrid working isn’t just office-based. Repeating the “empty office” narrative doesn’t make it true.

[Dave Penman @FDAGenSec]

As I told @JPonpolitics, the idea that civil servants would undermine a Reform government, including their recently announced policies on deportations, simply is not the case.

However unpalatable some people may think of a particular policy, at the end of the day, the civil service job is to implement the policies of any elected government.

[Dave Penman @FDAGenSec]

I have written for @politicshome about what I learnt from Robbins' evidence to the FAC.

The govt's characterisation of a failed vetting overturned by FCDO is not only factually incorrect but also a deliberate attempt to cast doubt over that decision.

Suddenly, the Mandelson appointment becomes a question of Olly’s judgement, not the PM's.

[Dave Penman @FDAGenSec]

As I told @RidgeandFrost, anyone who watched Sir Olly Robbins give evidence could see he has not been treated fairly. Of course civil servants being treated this way is going to send a chill throughout the service.

[FDA union @FDA_union]

Each year, we support hundreds of members facing workplace issues – from performance concerns and disciplinary processes to redundancy, discrimination, and bullying.

Our local reps and National Officers provide personalised advice, advocacy, representation, and access to legal support where needed.

You don’t have to face workplace challenges alone. Become a member to ensure you have support when you need it most: https://t.co/DtcLoiMqYF

#JoinAUnion #WorkplaceSupport #CivilServant

[FDA union @FDA_union]

"Over the longer term, it's really damaging to the reputation of the government and its ability to get things done"

@FDAGenSec tells @itvnews about the damage done by sacking Sir Olly Robbins

[Times Radio @TimesRadio]

“There is no one now at the leadership of the civil service who doesn't think if it's politically expedient, I will be thrown under the bus.”

The mood in the civil service “devastating”, says FDA general secretary Dave Penman.

@FDAGenSec | @StigAbell

[FDA union @FDA_union]

"All you need to do is see what happened last week when they unpacked what was in Mandelson's vetting file. 48 hrs later it was on the front page of The Guardian"

@FDAGenSec tells @vicderbyshire of the difficulty of politicians getting involved in security vetting.

[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.