News from the FDA

The union of choice for senior managers andprofessionals in public service

10 September 2002

[Embargoed until 00.01am Wednesday 11September]

Protecting public services from corporate corruption

Chief executives and directors inthe private sector must sign up to the seven principles of public life if theyare selected to provide public services, FDA general secretary Jonathan Baumewill say at the TUC this Wednesday.

Citing recent widespread failuresof corporate governance in the private sector, Baume will call on thegovernment to accept the recommendations of the Public Administration SelectCommittee and implement a new public service code covering private sectorproviders of public services to safeguard the public service ethos.

Greedis not good, nor an appropriate motivator in delivering public services. Thepublic service ethos of impartiality, accountability, trust, equity, probityand service has helped to keep the UKs public services among the least corruptin the world.

Recentevents have shown all too clearly that if the government is determined toincrease the extent of private sector delivery of public services, then theremust be a public service code that is binding on these private sectorproviders. This will ensure that the ethical standards expected of publicservants and public service bodies are protected.

Thecode should also state that private providers must make themselves accountablethrough elected representatives for their policies and performance, with thehighest standards of openness and transparency. It must follow that all publicservice contracts to private sector providers should be public documents.

The FDAs motion at the TUC callson the government to work with the Select Committee on Public Administrationand other interested bodies to agree the terms of a public service code as amatter of urgency. The Committee published a draft code on 23 June.

ENDS

Notesfor Editors

1. TheFDA is the trade union and professional body representing the UKs 11,000senior civil and public servants. Our members include policy advisors, seniormanagers, tax inspectors, economists, statisticians, accountants, governmentlawyers, crown prosecutors and NHS managers

2. Forfurther information contact:

Jonathan Baume (general secretary) on 020-7343-1111 or 07976-951191 (mobile)

Simon Moore (chief communicationsofficer) on 020 7343 1120 or 07967484441 (mobile)