News from the FDA

Theunion for senior managers and professionals in public service.

19July 2002

[Embargoed until 00.01am Friday 19 July]

FDA calls for clarity in role of special advisers

Welcoming the Commons PublicAdministration Committees report on government communications and the recentcrisis in the DTLR, FDA general secretary Jonathan Baume said the conclusionswere a sensible, thoughtful response to an extremely difficult situation.

The system of specialadvisers generally works well and is an asset both to the civil service and thegovernment. However, when the system goes wrong, as it did in this case, it cango spectacularly wrong.

There needs to be aclearer understanding of the mutual roles of special advisers and civilservants. There also needs to be a clear political willingness, and willingnessat the top of departments, to address problems when they arise. Leaking bycivil servants, as happened in this case, is always wrong but we must make surethat we never get to the situation again where civil servants feel that it istheir only option.

There must be simplerroutes for civil servants to raise problems and better management of specialadvisers. The recommendation for induction training for special advisers isalso a long-standing aim of the FDA. We will welcome the opportunity to workwith PASC and the government to take the reports recommendations forward.

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, specialadvisers, senior managers, tax inspectors, economists, statisticians,accountants, government lawyers, crown prosecutors and NHS managers

2. Forfurther information contact:

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

Simon Moore (chief press officer) on020-7343-1111 or 07967 484441 (mobile)