A full archive of FDA press releases is available on the FDA website here. Alternatively, if you cannot find what you are looking for, please contact Simon Moore at FDA head office. Email: press@fda.org.uk. Tel: 020 7343 1111. Fax: 020 7343 1105. An A-Z of issues is also available on this site.

12/05/05
FDA calls for Cabinet government over 'sofa government'
Tomorrow FDA general secretary Jonathan Baume will open the union's annual delegate conference by calling for Government to get off the sofa and back into the Cabinet room.

21/03/05
FDA calls off pensions strike
The FDA today called off its planned 23 March strike after receiving assurances that genuine negotiations would take place over the Government's proposed changes to Civil Service Pension schemes.

16/03/05
FDA welcomes budget commitment to invest more in public services
Today the FDA welcomed the Chancellor's continued commitment in his budget to further investment in public services.

14/03/05
Senior Government staff to strike for first time in over two decades
Senior Government staff in the civil service have voted resoundingly to join other public sector unions in strike action on the morning of 23 March.

22/02/05
FDA to ballot members over civil service pension proposals Senior officials to strike for first time in over two decades
More than 10,000 senior managers and professionals in the civil service are to be balloted for industrial action over changes to the civil service pension scheme, the FDA announced today. 

18/02/05
FDA calls Government pensions policy 'incoherent' and warns of a 'tidal wave' of demand for choice among senior civil servants
Today Jonathan Baume, general secretary of the FDA, the union for senior civil and public servants, warned the Government that there was a 'tidal wave of demand for choice' over pensions across the civil service.

17/02/05
FDA members vote to accept DWP pay offer
The FDA - the union for senior managers and professionals in public service -  today announced that its members in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have overwhelmingly voted to accept a three-year pay deal.

27/01/05
FDA Endorses Call for Civil Service Act
Today the FDA welcomed the recommendations of the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL) regarding inquiries into allegations against Ministers.

10/01/05
FDA fears tax on performance
Today the FDA, the union for senior managers and professionals in public service, expressed deep concern over the review of the NHS pension scheme announced today which will ask NHS employees to work longer and accept a lower pension than promised.

14/12/04
FDA disappointed with retirement age ultimatum
The FDA reacted today with disappointment at the Government’s plans to allow employers to force workers to retire at 65 under new age discrimination legislation due to be implemented as part of the European Employment Directive.

10/12/04
FDA attacks pensions 'myths' and demands honesty from government
The Government has no evidence to back its claims that it is closing the civil service final salary scheme on grounds of ‘fairness’, the FDA said today.

09/12/04
FDA rejects equality of misery
Many civil servants could see a huge fall in their future pensions, if proposals launched today are implemented, argued the FDA, the union for senior public sector managers and professionals.

08/12/04
Sickness needs to be treated, not disciplined
The FDA - the union for senior public sector managers and professionals - has today given a broad welcome to the Ministerial Taskforce for Health, Safety and Productivity's report on managing sickness absence in the public sector.

27/11/04
FDA warns against penalizing public servants on pensions
As the Government announces that judges’ pensions will be exempt from a new tax on personal pension pots worth more than £1.5 million, FDA general secretary Jonathan Baume says that this highlights the FDA’s concerns that other public servants will be penalised through the new tax laws. 

19/11/04
FDA welcomes groundbreaking agreement with DWP
A groundbreaking agreement was reached today between the FDA and Department of Work and Pensions on processes to help avoid compulsory redundancies that may result from the implementation of the 2004 Spending Review.

16/11/04
Pensions betrayal
Government plans to raise the public sector pension age to 65 are a betrayal of trust, claimed the FDA, which represents senior managers and professionals in public service. FDA members joined with other public sector workers in a TUC-organised lobby of MPs today.

15/11/04
FDA welcomes draft civil service bill
A Civil Service Act will help maintain high standards of professionalism and integrity at the heart of UK Government, the FDA said today in welcoming the Government’s publication of a draft civil service bill.

16/09/04
FDA dismayed by DWP closures
The FDA today expressed surprise and dismay at the announcement by the Department for Work and Pensions of closures involving JobCentre Plus and the department's Corporate and Shared Services. The FDA shares the stated aim of the department to manage this reduction without the need for compulsory redundancies or transfers. However, to make this announcement before talks are concluded is premature.

15/09/04
FDA endorses Fraser recommendations
Today the FDA welcomed Lord Fraser's report on the building of the new Scottish parliament at Holyrood and fully endorsed its recommendations.

27/07/04
PCS DWP No Confidence Vote - Divisive and Counterproductive Says FDA
A 'vote of no confidence' in senior management in the Department of Work and Pensions held by the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union has today been condemned as "a divisive and counterproductive tactic" by the FDA, which represents senior managers in the civil service. The PCS represents administrative and middle management grades in the DWP and other Government departments.

21/07/04
FDA gives cautious welcome to CPS spending increases
The FDA, the union representing prosecutors within the Crown Prosecution Service, has today given a guarded welcome to the increased CPS funding announced by the Chancellor in the July Spending Review.

15/07/04
Butler Review: Government must act to reinforce Civil Service integrity
The Government should heed the lessons from Lord Butler's review of intelligence on WMD to reinforce effective Cabinet government and the integrity and impartiality of the Civil Service, says the FDA, the union for senior managers and professionals in public service. The continued failure to bring forward the promised Civil Service Act or to ensure that all civil servants are aware of the provisions of the Civil Service Code is unacceptable.

12/07/04
Chancellor's announcement will seriously damage the civil service
Cuts of 104,000 civil service jobs announced by the Chancellor today were condemned by the FDA, the union representing senior public sector managers and professionals. The cuts include 40,000 jobs axed in the Budget and 20,000 to be lost in devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

29/06/04
Health debate causes concern for managers
The FDA, the union for senior managers in the Health Service, has today highlighted concern from top NHS managers arising from the pre-election posturing of the main political parties.

24/05/04
Diplomatic Services Association votes to join FDA
On a 60% turnout, 92.3% of the Diplomatic Services Association’s members — the independent union representing all grades within the diplomatic service — have voted to transfer the engagements of the DSA and become full members of the FDA — the union of choice for senior managers and professionals in public service.

12/05/04
Union welcomes appointment of new Revenue and Customs chief
The FDA has welcomed the appointment of David Varney as the new Chairman of the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise, which are to be merged later this year. The FDA represents senior managers and specialists in both departments.

30/03/04
Union condemns immigration leaks
The FDA today condemned the leaking of information about immigration policy and procedure. The FDA has not been directly involved in either the case of Mr Moxon or Mr Cameron, and has not commented in detail on their cases.

17/03/04
FDA welcomes pensions concessions for higher earners in the budget
The FDA, which represents senior civil servants, welcomed the moves made by the Chancellor in yesterday’s budget to increase the lifetime earnings cap to £1.5 million. The FDA had joined with other unions representing senior staff to raise concerns at the original proposals, which would have seen a cap of £1.4 million and indexation to the retail prices index...

17/03/04
Union concern at government job cuts
The FDA, the union that represents senior public service managers and professionals, has expressed considerable concern at announcements in today’s budget to cut civil service jobs.

17/03/04
End of an era for Inland Revenue and Customs
The Union of Senior Revenue Officials (USRO) today said it would be sorry to see the end of the Inland Revenue, a Department that has served the country well for over 150 years.

15/03/04
Government Offices network central to Lyons' relocation proposals
Government must take responsibility for the many individuals at all grades of the civil service who will be affected by the proposals in Sir Michael Lyons report on the relocation of central government functions out of London and the South East, the FDA said today in response to publication of his report...

04/03/04
Service to the public, not name, is the key for CPS success ...
The FDA today urged that any debate over a change of name of the Crown Prosecution Service should not detract form the more pressing need ...

26/02/04
FDA urges government to act now on unpaid overtime
Senior civil servants work on average 12.5 hours unpaid overtime every week ...

12/02/04
Senior Civil Service pay award disappointing
Pay increases for Senior Civil Servants are disappointing and fail to keep abreast of comparative pay rises ...

04/01/04
Civil Service Bill
The FDA today welcomed the publication of the Public Administration Select Committee's report and draft Civil Service Bill...

09/12/03
FDA calls for pensions cap rethink
The FDA today called on the government to rethink its proposal to introduce a capped lifetime pension fund pot of £1.4 million. FDA general secretary Jonathan Baume said that while the legislation was clearly aimed at controlling the excesses of fat cats in the private sector, there was a danger that it would also severely damage the pensions of senior public sector managers...

08/12/03
DWP management relents on unfair bonus scheme.
Managers at the Department for Work and Pensions have withdrawn plans to introduce a bonus scheme which the FDA claimed would potentially breach sex and disability discrimination laws.
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26/11/03
Disappointment over omission of Civil Service Bill
The FDA today expressed its disappointment that a Civil Service Bill was not included as part of this year's legislative programme in the Queen's speech.
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21/11/03
Department for Work and Pensions imposes discriminatory pay offer
Management in the Department for Work and Pensions has imposed a discriminatory and derisory pay offer on senior staff, the FDA said today...

13/11/03
Union rejects strings-attached pay offer
Senior civil servants working in the Department for Work and Pensions have overwhelmingly rejected the department's pay offer, the FDA said today....

10/11/03
Procurators Fiscals' reject pay offer
FDA members in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service have voted overwhelmingly to reject the pay offer put to them for 2003-5...

24/10/03
Good Hope Hospital NHS Trust
We are pleased to announce that we have been able to reach a settlement in relation to the employment issues surrounding the former Chief Executive of Good Hope Hospital NHS Trust...

20/10/03
Union action on Procurators Fiscal Pay
Procurators fiscal are being recommended to reject their latest pay offer by their union, the FDA said today...

11/09/03
Union welcomes commitment to Civil Service Act
The FDA today welcomed the government's broad endorsement of the ninth report by the Wicks Committee on Standards in Public Life (Defining the boundaries within the executive: ministers, special advisers and the permanent civil service), and its renewed commitment to a Civil Service Act.

03/09/03
Government communications reorganisation
The FDA, which represents senior civil servants including heads of information, today welcomed the reorganisation of the government press and information service announced by the Prime Minister.

21/07/03
Public service targets - Select Committee report
The FDA today welcomed the conclusions of the Public Administration Select Committee's report on the use of public service targets.

15/07/03
Departmental cuts unrealistic
The FDA today said it was sceptical about suggestions from the Liberal Democrats that the number of government departments could be cut to provide more money for frontline public services.

02/07/03
Review of Inland Revenue and Customs & Excise
The FDA today gave an undertaking to co-operate fully with the government's review of the UK's organisations dealing with tax policy and administration. The FDA represents senior managers and tax inspectors in both the Inland Revenue and Customs & Excise.

23/06/03
Union welcomes calls to strengthen foundations of civil service
The FDA today welcomed the publication of the Civil Service Commissioners' annual report and the call by First Civil Service Commissioner Baroness Usha Prashar to ensure that the values on which the civil service is founded - integrity, honesty, impartiality and objectivity, and appointment on merit - are not eroded.

11/06/03
FDA concern at public sector pension age rise
The FDA today joined in the chorus of concern at the Government's announcement of an intended rise in the pension age in the public sector to 65. While the FDA welcomes many of the proposals announced today by the Secretary of State, the announcement of changes in pension age are wholly unwelcome. The FDA does not believe that the Government has made a case for this change and is concerned that they have ignored the views of trade unions and the TUC who all rejected an imposed change in pension age in the public sector.

11/06/03
Union welcomes Blunkett boost for Crown Prosecutors
David Blunkett's proposals to boost the role and profile of senior Crown Prosecutors were today welcomed by the FDA. The Home Secretary's proposals are set out in Civil Renewal: A New Agenda, a pamphlet being launched this evening. The FDA represents prosecutors in the Crown Prosecution Service, including Chief Crown Prosecutors, as well as other senior public servants.

03/06/03
Union backs draft Civil Service Act
The FDA today welcomed the publication by the Public Administration Select Committee of its consultation paper and draft Civil Service Act. FDA general secretary Jonathan Baume said publication was "a very important initiative" by the select committee.

08/04/03
Defining the boundaries within the executive
The FDA today warmly welcomed the ninth report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Defining the Boundaries within the Executive: Ministers, Special Advisers and the Permanent Civil Service. FDA general secretary Jonathan Baume said: "this is an excellent report that succinctly identifies the problems and offers robust solutions".

04/03/03
South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust report
The Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority report into the reporting of the waiting list data at South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust raises serious concerns for NHS managers, the FDA said today.

11/02/03
Union welcomes review of government communications
The FDA today welcomed the government's decision to set up a review of its communications systems, as recommended by the Public Administration Select Committee in its report, These Unfortunate Events: lessons of recent events at the former DTLR.

7/02/03
Senior Civil Service pay awards inadequate
Pay awards announced for Senior Civil Servants are inadequate and show the government lacks a coherent approach to public sector pay, the FDA (the union for senior public service managers) argued today.

18/12/02
Detailed consultation paramount on pensions paper
Responding to the pensions Green Paper, the FDA today welcomed the government's proposals to end compulsory retirement ages but expressed strong concerns that any changes to the public sector pension age in the future should not affect existing pension scheme members.

18/12/02
Legal remedy at Argyll and Clyde not best option at present
There is no immediate prospect of legal action against the Argyll and Clyde NHS Trust over their handling of the departure of four senior executives, the FDA said today.

03/12/02
No hope for Good Hope
The claim by Good Hope Hospital NHS Trust that they dismissed the Chief Executive Jeff Chandra today only serves to further undermine the professionalism and credibility possessed by the Chairman, Sir Bernard Zissman and the Trust Board.

02/12/02
Union calls for board to resign
Ministers at the Department of Health came under fire today from the FDA amid allegations of a "Wild West, shoot first ask questions later" attitude towards senior managers in the NHS.

09/10/02
NHS Managers code of conduct
The FDA today welcomed the introduction of a code of conduct for NHS managers, announced by chief executive of the Department of Health and NHS Nigel Crisp, in his speech to the Institute of Health Care Management today.

10/09/02
Protecting public services from corporate corruption
Chief executives and directors in the private sector must sign up to the seven principles of public life if they are selected to provide public services, FDA general secretary Jonathan Baume will say at the TUC this Wednesday.

03/09/02
FDA demands action on Fiscals' pay
The senior civil servants' union the FDA today demanded the Crown Office take urgent action over unfair pay, after a comparability study showed a pay gap of up to £10,000 between pay levels in the Procurator Fiscal Service and other comparable lawyer jobs in the civil service and wider public sector.

21/08/02
Real reason for suspension
Responding to reports in Wednesday's Guardian that Jeff Chandra, Goodhope Hospital's chief executive, had been suspended for “unorthodox manipulation” of waiting lists, senior FDA official Paul Whiteman said...

19/07/02
FDA calls for clarity in role of special advisers
Welcoming the Commons Public Administration Committee's report on government communications and the recent crisis in the DTLR, FDA general secretary Jonathan Baume said the conclusions were a sensible, thoughtful response to an extremely difficult situation.

18/07/02
FDA welcomes enhanced CPS powers
Significantly enhanced powers for the Crown Prosecution Service set out today in the government's White Paper 'Justice for All' have been welcomed by the FDA. The FDA is the trade union which represents all CPS lawyers and senior managers.

11/07/02
Protecting public services from corporate corruption
The FDA today called on the government to work with the Public Administration Committee, the Trades Union Congress and other interested bodies to agree, as a matter of urgency, the terms of a new public service code to govern private sector companies delivering public services.

15/06/02
Fair funding for museums and galleries
The FDA, the union for senior managers in the public sector, today gave its full support to the aims of British Museum staff who are taking industrial action on Monday in protest at job and service cuts.

11/06/02
Review of Northern Ireland Senior Civil Service
The FDA, the union for senior civil servants, today welcomed the publication of Lord Herman Ouseley's consultation report reviewing the Senior Civil Service in Northern Ireland.

11/06/02
Civil servants and parliamentary questions
The FDA's response to Tuesday's story in the Independent about civil servants in the Department of Work and Pensions answering parliamentary questions.

15/05/02
Act now to underpin reform, says FDA
The civil service must change or lose the confidence of ministers, FDA General Secretary Jonathan Baume told delegates at the union's annual conference today [16 May]. But he added that there is also an obligation on ministers to uphold the values of the civil service by acting on its commitment to a Civil Service Act.

12/05/02
Tax inspectors celebrate their 100th
The Association of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Taxes and Senior Revenue Officials is celebrating its 100th birthday as a trade union this week.

12/05/02
Pushing for progress on a Civil Service Bill
The FDA has welcomed the proposal by the Public Administration Select Committee to draft a Civil Service Bill. This is in response to the Government's apparent reluctance to fulfil its own commitment to consult about an Act

19/04/02
New head of the civil service
The FDA today welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement of Sir Andrew Turnbull, a career civil servant, as the new Head of the Civil Service and Cabinet Secretary, and urged Sir Andrew to endorse the government's commitment to a Civil Service Act.

16/04/02
MI6 Staff Affiliate to Public Service Union
The Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) staff association has affiliated to the FDA, the union for senior public service managers.

04/03/2002
Union Welcomes Wicks Committee Inquiry
The FDA, the union for senior managers in public service, today welcomed the launch by the Committee on Standards in Public Life of its inquiry into the boundaries between ministers, special advisers and the civil service.

15/02/2002
Leaks are wrong says union
Leaks are not the answer in rows with special advisers, the FDA (the union for senior public sector managers), said today.

13/12/2001
Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate report on CPS London
The FDA has called on the Director of Public Prosecutions to urgently address the serious issues raised by the CPSI report on CPS London.

29/11/2001
Private provision of public services not clear and transparent
The FDA today called on the government to bring more transparency and accountability to the private provision of public services.

31/10/2001
Jonathan Baume re-elected as general secretary
The FDA, the union for senior public sector managers and professionals, today announced that general secretary Jonathan Baume had been re-elected unopposed for a second five year term, from March 2002.