News from the FDA

19 April 2002

[For Immediate Use]

New head of the civil service

The FDA today welcomedthe Prime Ministers announcement of Sir Andrew Turnbull, a career civilservant, as the new Head of the Civil Service and Cabinet Secretary, and urgedSir Andrew to endorse the governments commitment to a Civil Service Act. SirAndrew, Permanent Secretary at the Treasury, will take over from the currentCabinet Secretary Sir Richard Wilson during the summer.

Jonathan Baume, FDA General Secretary, said:

Sir Andrew is a highlycapable and well respected civil servant who will be able to take forward civilservice reform on the basis of more than thirty years experience in the civilservice. Most of his career has been in the Treasury but his work as PermanentSecretary in the Environment department will help ensure that his agenda is notjust shaped through a Treasury prism.

Sir Richard Wilson hasbeen a staunch defender of the values of a politically impartial civil service,appointed and promoted by fair and open competition on merit. These values areof immense benefit to the public interest in the UK. Sir Andrew will need toconvince civil servants that he is prepared to uphold these values. I urge himto swiftly endorse the governments commitment to a Civil Service Act.

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:

JonathanBaume (general secretary) on 020-7343-1111 or07976-951191 (mobile)

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