FDA Union
@fdaunion.bsky.social
We're the trade union for managers and professionals in public service. Find out more at www.fda.org.uk
"Recognising and addressing long-standing issues impacting the lives of inspectors is vital for the success of the new framework introduced by Ofsted." - @fdagensec.bsky.social
Around 90% of inspectors who responded to the FDA survey said the additional workload was harming their wellbeing
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
Survey finds 98% of Ofsted inspectors are overworked
FDA boss Dave Penman calls for Ofsted to ‘recognise the human cost’ of current workloads
www.civilserviceworld.com
January 22, 2026 at 1:57 PM
"Recognising and addressing long-standing issues impacting the lives of inspectors is vital for the success of the new framework introduced by Ofsted." - @fdagensec.bsky.social
Our new research reveals Ofsted’s inspection system is straining the very people who make it work: His Majesty’s Inspectors.
The public value their role, but conditions need urgent reform. Read the full report: www.fda.org.uk/wp-content/u...
The public value their role, but conditions need urgent reform. Read the full report: www.fda.org.uk/wp-content/u...
January 22, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Our new research reveals Ofsted’s inspection system is straining the very people who make it work: His Majesty’s Inspectors.
The public value their role, but conditions need urgent reform. Read the full report: www.fda.org.uk/wp-content/u...
The public value their role, but conditions need urgent reform. Read the full report: www.fda.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Following today’s speech from @darrenpjones.bsky.social, @fdagensec.bsky.social pressed him on “whether the govt can convince civil servants, who have too often been scapegoated by politicians, to take risks without knowing they won’t get quickly blamed by ministers when those risks don’t work out”
Starmer’s chief secretary reveals plans to bust ‘the sludge’ in Whitehall
Under-performing civil servants will be sacked and taskforces brought in to solve problems, says Darren Jones
www.theguardian.com
January 20, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Following today’s speech from @darrenpjones.bsky.social, @fdagensec.bsky.social pressed him on “whether the govt can convince civil servants, who have too often been scapegoated by politicians, to take risks without knowing they won’t get quickly blamed by ministers when those risks don’t work out”
“If civil servants are to take the risks that innovation brings, then ministers need to provide the political cover for the risk of failure. They will need to be convinced that the rhetoric and political reality align”, @fdagensec.bsky.social tells @chris-smyth.bsky.social
Top UK civil servants in line for bumper bonuses
Prime minister’s chief secretary has promised ‘a state that can move fast’ in a speech on Tuesday
www.ft.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:48 PM
“If civil servants are to take the risks that innovation brings, then ministers need to provide the political cover for the risk of failure. They will need to be convinced that the rhetoric and political reality align”, @fdagensec.bsky.social tells @chris-smyth.bsky.social
FDA research finds:
98% of HMI are working beyond their contracted hours
89% of HMI say this is harming their wellbeing
62% say Ofsted does nothing to address HMI working overtime
Addressing these long-standing issues impacting the lives of inspectors is vital for the success of the new framework
98% of HMI are working beyond their contracted hours
89% of HMI say this is harming their wellbeing
62% say Ofsted does nothing to address HMI working overtime
Addressing these long-standing issues impacting the lives of inspectors is vital for the success of the new framework
Excl: A glum picture presented in the first major polling of senior inspectors since Ofsted launched its school report cards.
📈70% of HMI are open to leaving
📈Almost all HMI are working overtime & it's having a "detrimental impact" on their work
📈70% of HMI are open to leaving
📈Almost all HMI are working overtime & it's having a "detrimental impact" on their work
Most senior Ofsted inspectors feel nervous to reveal role
Almost two-thirds of HMI are looking for a new job, and a further third admit they are not proud of their position, according to exclusive findings shared with Tes
www.tes.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:13 AM
FDA research finds:
98% of HMI are working beyond their contracted hours
89% of HMI say this is harming their wellbeing
62% say Ofsted does nothing to address HMI working overtime
Addressing these long-standing issues impacting the lives of inspectors is vital for the success of the new framework
98% of HMI are working beyond their contracted hours
89% of HMI say this is harming their wellbeing
62% say Ofsted does nothing to address HMI working overtime
Addressing these long-standing issues impacting the lives of inspectors is vital for the success of the new framework
FDA National Officer Allan Sampson says the new Integrated Pay & Workforce Policy, announced today in the Scottish Budget, “quietly locks pay rises to job cuts and means civil servants will absorb the pressure while being asked to deliver more. Reform needs investment, not managed decline”.
January 13, 2026 at 5:25 PM
FDA National Officer Allan Sampson says the new Integrated Pay & Workforce Policy, announced today in the Scottish Budget, “quietly locks pay rises to job cuts and means civil servants will absorb the pressure while being asked to deliver more. Reform needs investment, not managed decline”.
Reposted by FDA Union
At today’s @instituteforgovernment.org.uk annual conference, I asked @darrenpjones.bsky.social how he responds to concerns about the fragmentation of responsibilities, including changes to his own role, preventing civil service reform.
January 13, 2026 at 3:55 PM
At today’s @instituteforgovernment.org.uk annual conference, I asked @darrenpjones.bsky.social how he responds to concerns about the fragmentation of responsibilities, including changes to his own role, preventing civil service reform.
“Members rely on accurate and timely information from their pensions administrator to make major decisions about leaving the civil service & retiring”
FDA's Adrian Prandle tells @civilserviceworld.bsky.social that "it is clear that faster solutions are required” from Capita.
FDA's Adrian Prandle tells @civilserviceworld.bsky.social that "it is clear that faster solutions are required” from Capita.
January 13, 2026 at 2:40 PM
“Members rely on accurate and timely information from their pensions administrator to make major decisions about leaving the civil service & retiring”
FDA's Adrian Prandle tells @civilserviceworld.bsky.social that "it is clear that faster solutions are required” from Capita.
FDA's Adrian Prandle tells @civilserviceworld.bsky.social that "it is clear that faster solutions are required” from Capita.
Reposted by FDA Union
Transforming public services will not happen by trotting out tired old tropes about the civil service.
This is not the approach of a serious govt, its an intellectually corrupt process designed to deliver a headline not efficient or effective public services.
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
This is not the approach of a serious govt, its an intellectually corrupt process designed to deliver a headline not efficient or effective public services.
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
Tories pledge to sack underperforming civil servants
Sir Mel Stride will promise his party plans to no longer tolerate mediocrity in Whitehall
www.telegraph.co.uk
January 13, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Transforming public services will not happen by trotting out tired old tropes about the civil service.
This is not the approach of a serious govt, its an intellectually corrupt process designed to deliver a headline not efficient or effective public services.
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
This is not the approach of a serious govt, its an intellectually corrupt process designed to deliver a headline not efficient or effective public services.
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
Reposted by FDA Union
At @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's annual conference, I asked Wes Streeting what he is doing to give staff in the NHS and civil service the support and stability they need to deliver public services and drive efficiencies whilst navigating the uncertainties of major organisational restructures.
January 13, 2026 at 11:26 AM
At @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's annual conference, I asked Wes Streeting what he is doing to give staff in the NHS and civil service the support and stability they need to deliver public services and drive efficiencies whilst navigating the uncertainties of major organisational restructures.
"This is unacceptable... Our members cannot expect to put their lives on hold any longer.”
FDA's Adrian Prandle tells @theipaper.com the union is pressing for a rapid improvement to service levels from the administrator of the civil service pension scheme.
inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...
FDA's Adrian Prandle tells @theipaper.com the union is pressing for a rapid improvement to service levels from the administrator of the civil service pension scheme.
inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...
Retired civil servants left in pension limbo with payments delayed for weeks
Ex-civil service employee, Richard James, is one such person affected. He has been retired for 6 weeks and has not had any pension payments paid to him
inews.co.uk
January 12, 2026 at 4:36 PM
"This is unacceptable... Our members cannot expect to put their lives on hold any longer.”
FDA's Adrian Prandle tells @theipaper.com the union is pressing for a rapid improvement to service levels from the administrator of the civil service pension scheme.
inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...
FDA's Adrian Prandle tells @theipaper.com the union is pressing for a rapid improvement to service levels from the administrator of the civil service pension scheme.
inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...
"Civil servants want to do a good job. They want to deliver good public services. If a Reform government were elected, they would want to help them do that."
@fdagensec.bsky.social tells @gbnewsonline.bsky.social he is sceptical of reports of mass exits from the civil service if Reform is elected.
@fdagensec.bsky.social tells @gbnewsonline.bsky.social he is sceptical of reports of mass exits from the civil service if Reform is elected.
January 9, 2026 at 5:19 PM
"Civil servants want to do a good job. They want to deliver good public services. If a Reform government were elected, they would want to help them do that."
@fdagensec.bsky.social tells @gbnewsonline.bsky.social he is sceptical of reports of mass exits from the civil service if Reform is elected.
@fdagensec.bsky.social tells @gbnewsonline.bsky.social he is sceptical of reports of mass exits from the civil service if Reform is elected.
Reposted by FDA Union
After reports of civil service over-regulation & obstruction stopping Labour delivering, I told @rowenamason.bsky.social the civil service didn’t put the system in place, ministers did & it’s entirely within govt’s power to change it. But it can only change if there’s strong political will to do so.
Downing Street has only itself to blame for lack of grip on Whitehall, say experts
Downing Street has only itself to blame for lack of grip on Whitehall, say experts
Ex-adviser Paul Ovenden says ‘political perma-class’ has distracted government, but critics argue ministers already have power to act
Downing Street only has itself to blame for failing to exercise power,
Whitehall experts have said, after a former No 10 adviser said that lobbying by a “political perma-class” had distracted the government from voters’ priorities.
Paul Ovenden prompted a debate about how Keir Starmer’s administration is governing after criticising what he described as the “sheer weirdness of how Whitehall spends its time”. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 3, 2026 at 12:54 PM
After reports of civil service over-regulation & obstruction stopping Labour delivering, I told @rowenamason.bsky.social the civil service didn’t put the system in place, ministers did & it’s entirely within govt’s power to change it. But it can only change if there’s strong political will to do so.
“Inspectors must have the right tools to do the job. We will be pressing management to deliver a long-term solution.” - FDA National Officer Matt Newman
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-enact...
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-enact...
'Contingency plan' as Ofsted notes software glitches again
Inspectors adjusting to new framework will have to follow 'alternative processes' in January
schoolsweek.co.uk
December 23, 2025 at 3:51 PM
“Inspectors must have the right tools to do the job. We will be pressing management to deliver a long-term solution.” - FDA National Officer Matt Newman
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-enact...
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-enact...
“FDA members have been very clear that the current situation with EEG is unacceptable... we remain concerned that there does not appear to be a strategy in place to resolve the underlying issue.” - FDA National Officer Matt Newman
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Ofsted inspectors to use Word documents for recording evidence
The watchdog will temporarily use Microsoft Word documents to gather inspection evidence as electronic system continues to malfunction
www.tes.com
December 23, 2025 at 12:23 PM
“FDA members have been very clear that the current situation with EEG is unacceptable... we remain concerned that there does not appear to be a strategy in place to resolve the underlying issue.” - FDA National Officer Matt Newman
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
"You can have a bigger or smaller civil service but your plans have got to have a bit of coherence... I think that was the bit missing."
@fdagensec.bsky.social speaks to Alex Armstrong @gbnewsonline.bsky.social about Reform UK’s announcement on civil service reform.
@fdagensec.bsky.social speaks to Alex Armstrong @gbnewsonline.bsky.social about Reform UK’s announcement on civil service reform.
December 16, 2025 at 8:52 AM
"You can have a bigger or smaller civil service but your plans have got to have a bit of coherence... I think that was the bit missing."
@fdagensec.bsky.social speaks to Alex Armstrong @gbnewsonline.bsky.social about Reform UK’s announcement on civil service reform.
@fdagensec.bsky.social speaks to Alex Armstrong @gbnewsonline.bsky.social about Reform UK’s announcement on civil service reform.
Discussing the Employment Rights Bill, @fdagensec.bsky.social tells @listentotimesradio.bsky.social that by moving the threshold for claiming unfair dismissal to 6 months but abolishing the cap on compensation, the government has reached a "good compromise" to ensure the legislation passes.
December 9, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Discussing the Employment Rights Bill, @fdagensec.bsky.social tells @listentotimesradio.bsky.social that by moving the threshold for claiming unfair dismissal to 6 months but abolishing the cap on compensation, the government has reached a "good compromise" to ensure the legislation passes.
A gender pension gap of 45% in the civil service is unacceptable and will leave thousands of women uncertain about their financial future.
The FDA and @prospectunion.bsky.social have written to Cabinet Office minister Anna Turley calling for govt to take urgent action to address this.
The FDA and @prospectunion.bsky.social have written to Cabinet Office minister Anna Turley calling for govt to take urgent action to address this.
December 5, 2025 at 3:34 PM
A gender pension gap of 45% in the civil service is unacceptable and will leave thousands of women uncertain about their financial future.
The FDA and @prospectunion.bsky.social have written to Cabinet Office minister Anna Turley calling for govt to take urgent action to address this.
The FDA and @prospectunion.bsky.social have written to Cabinet Office minister Anna Turley calling for govt to take urgent action to address this.
Reposted by FDA Union
It’s not often a campaign ticks all the boxes. Strong evidence base, great member engagement and influencing a new government’s policy. Could not be prouder of the FDA team behind Funding the Nation - our superb reps and talented staff working together to deliver real change.
December 2, 2025 at 7:38 PM
It’s not often a campaign ticks all the boxes. Strong evidence base, great member engagement and influencing a new government’s policy. Could not be prouder of the FDA team behind Funding the Nation - our superb reps and talented staff working together to deliver real change.
Our organising team is at Ethnic Minorities into Leadership, photographed below with Chair of today's event
Justin Placide.
If you are attending today, come by our stall to discuss the benefits of FDA membership, from career development support to being your voice in the workplace.
Justin Placide.
If you are attending today, come by our stall to discuss the benefits of FDA membership, from career development support to being your voice in the workplace.
November 18, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Our organising team is at Ethnic Minorities into Leadership, photographed below with Chair of today's event
Justin Placide.
If you are attending today, come by our stall to discuss the benefits of FDA membership, from career development support to being your voice in the workplace.
Justin Placide.
If you are attending today, come by our stall to discuss the benefits of FDA membership, from career development support to being your voice in the workplace.
The FDA’s National Officer for the Fast Stream Robert Eagleton is taking part in this evening’s @instituteforgovernment.org.uk panel event, ‘How can the Fast Stream deliver more for the civil service?’
November 17, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The FDA’s National Officer for the Fast Stream Robert Eagleton is taking part in this evening’s @instituteforgovernment.org.uk panel event, ‘How can the Fast Stream deliver more for the civil service?’
“There will be no period of grace for Capita as our members expect an immediate improvement in service – which is the bare-minimum following the repetitive failures of MyCSP"
FDA's Adrian Prandle discusses pension scheme transition to Capita given go-head
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
FDA's Adrian Prandle discusses pension scheme transition to Capita given go-head
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
Cabinet Office confirms Civil Service Pension Scheme handover
Capita gets “final” go-ahead to take over scheme administration following delayed decision
www.civilserviceworld.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:57 PM
“There will be no period of grace for Capita as our members expect an immediate improvement in service – which is the bare-minimum following the repetitive failures of MyCSP"
FDA's Adrian Prandle discusses pension scheme transition to Capita given go-head
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
FDA's Adrian Prandle discusses pension scheme transition to Capita given go-head
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
“When you come into the office now, it may be that you want to do team meetings but those spaces are not there"
FDA's Lauren Crowley provided evidence for a new report from a Lords Committee, which says government may need to choose between office attendance mandate & shrinking the office estate.
FDA's Lauren Crowley provided evidence for a new report from a Lords Committee, which says government may need to choose between office attendance mandate & shrinking the office estate.
Report says government should review potential conflict between 60% office attendance rule and office closures
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
Hybrid working: Peers warn of conflict between 60% policy and office closures
House of Lords committee says government 'may need to decide which it wants to prioritise'
www.civilserviceworld.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:16 PM
“When you come into the office now, it may be that you want to do team meetings but those spaces are not there"
FDA's Lauren Crowley provided evidence for a new report from a Lords Committee, which says government may need to choose between office attendance mandate & shrinking the office estate.
FDA's Lauren Crowley provided evidence for a new report from a Lords Committee, which says government may need to choose between office attendance mandate & shrinking the office estate.
Today our HMRC section, ARC, is providing vital learning support for managers in HMRC in partnership with FDA Learn, covering important subjects such as workplace bullying and harassment, managing difficult conversations and reasonable adjustments.
November 13, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Today our HMRC section, ARC, is providing vital learning support for managers in HMRC in partnership with FDA Learn, covering important subjects such as workplace bullying and harassment, managing difficult conversations and reasonable adjustments.
Next Monday 17 November, FDA National Officer for the Fast Stream Robert Eagleton will be taking part in @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's panel event on how the Fast Stream can deliver for the civil service.
Register to attend in person or online:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/civil-...
Register to attend in person or online:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/civil-...
November 12, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Next Monday 17 November, FDA National Officer for the Fast Stream Robert Eagleton will be taking part in @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's panel event on how the Fast Stream can deliver for the civil service.
Register to attend in person or online:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/civil-...
Register to attend in person or online:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/civil-...