Dave Penman

Johnson and Cummings thought their inherent exceptionalism would prevail over Covid. They failed time and again
06 Nov Coronavirus
Johnson and Cummings thought their inherent exceptionalism would prevail over Covid. They failed time and again
Lee Cain said Covid was “the wrong crisis" for Boris Johnson’s "skill set”. The phrase will hang round Johnson’s neck like a VW emblem on a Beastie Boy
What did Hunt’s civil service announcement mean? Your guess is as good as mine
05 Oct Brexit
What did Hunt’s civil service announcement mean? Your guess is as good as mine
With its arbitrary targets and savings based on mythical rates of headcount-growth, civil servants would be forgiven for thinking that the chancellor’s conference speech didn’t represent a serious policy from a serious government
Crumbling concrete intervention proves why ex-senior civil servants shouldn't always stay quiet
08 Sep Education
Crumbling concrete intervention proves why ex-senior civil servants shouldn't always stay quiet
It takes a great deal for a former permanent secretary to intervene. I believe Jonathan Slater’s intervention on RAAC puts him on the right side of history
Civil servants feel undervalued. The revised pay offer is an opportunity for a reset
15 Jun HR
Civil servants feel undervalued. The revised pay offer is an opportunity for a reset
The government’s shift in approach on pay is a positive signal, but to really change it must face up to facts and lead – rather than undermine – its officials
The Raab-resignation circus shows we need an independent look at ministerial bullying
25 Apr Civil Service Reform
The Raab-resignation circus shows we need an independent look at ministerial bullying
The UK government should follow the example of parliament, Scotland and Wales to improve the way complaints of bullying are handled
Letting ethical standards slip has corrosive consequences beyond No.10
22 Mar HR
Letting ethical standards slip has corrosive consequences beyond No.10
FDA general secretary Dave Penman warns Rishi Sunak of the impact of letting standards in public life fall by the wayside
To ensure trust in the Raab investigation, Sunak must prioritise people rather than political control
09 Feb HR
To ensure trust in the Raab investigation, Sunak must prioritise people rather than political control
Everything must be done to give confidence to those who have made the enormously difficult decision to raise complaints against some of the most powerful people in the country
As fast streamers gear up to strike, ministers must wake up to the damage already done
19 Jan HR
As fast streamers gear up to strike, ministers must wake up to the damage already done
Ministers may talk about “union barons”, but the disputes are unions responding to their members, not the other way around
Low pay blights the Fast Stream. Our members have had enough
14 Nov 2022 HR
Low pay blights the Fast Stream. Our members have had enough
Fast streamers in the FDA union are considering strikes as low pay outweighs the prospect of future promotion.
The mysterious case of Liz Truss and the missing standards adviser
18 Oct 2022 HR
The mysterious case of Liz Truss and the missing standards adviser
Civil servants don’t appreciate having no-one to complain to about wayward ministers
Sacking Tom Scholar shows weakness. Good ministers don't fear robust advice
12 Sep 2022 HR
Sacking Tom Scholar shows weakness. Good ministers don't fear robust advice
The Treasury perm sec's exit bodes ill for both Liz Truss's administration and the principles underpinning a permanent and impartial civil service
There is no one issue that led to Boris Johnson's downfall, but the predominant one is integrity
07 Jul 2022 HR
There is no one issue that led to Boris Johnson's downfall, but the predominant one is integrity
"The disconnect between what Johnson said and did was what ultimately did for him"
Maude's making a comeback – but if Frankie said relax, I'm not sure I would
17 Jun 2022 Civil Service Reform
Maude's making a comeback – but if Frankie said relax, I'm not sure I would
The news that Francis Maude is reportedly conducting a review on civil service governance feels like a government running out of ideas, writes Dave Penman
The Politburo has spoken: unpicking 'plans' for 91,000 civil service job cuts
16 May 2022 Civil Service Reform
The Politburo has spoken: unpicking 'plans' for 91,000 civil service job cuts
Plans to cut one in five civil service jobs are beyond irrational – until you consider the real reason for the announcement
Ministers' ideological obsession, not efficiency or effective government, is driving civil service reform
13 Apr 2022 HR
Ministers' ideological obsession, not efficiency or effective government, is driving civil service reform
Ministers still view officials with suspicion and resentment, and at worst views them as pawns to score a cheap headline
Ministerial hand-wringing over working from home is beyond a joke
22 Mar 2022 Civil Service Reform
Ministerial hand-wringing over working from home is beyond a joke
While Jacob Rees-Mogg fixates on the numbers of officials who are back at their desks – and hugely damages morale in the process – civil servants are getting on with the job of delivering public services
'Get paid less, work more and have your reputation trashed' isn't a great sell for the senior civil service
18 Mar 2022 Civil Service Reform
'Get paid less, work more and have your reputation trashed' isn't a great sell for the senior civil service
Competency-based pay could represent some light at the end of the tunnel, but it needs proper funding or it will be just another train
The Queen's portrait row at BEIS reminds us patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel
18 Feb 2022
The Queen's portrait row at BEIS reminds us patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel
As Kwasi Kwarteng refuses to quash a fake news story, the PM's 18th century namesake has some useful lessons for members of the current cabinet
Dave Penman: Sound ideas and worrying signs from the Sue Gray investigation
01 Feb 2022 HR
Dave Penman: Sound ideas and worrying signs from the Sue Gray investigation
Reviews of civil service code and its counterpart for special advisers suggest Boris Johnson thinks he has found a get-out-of-jail card on Partygate
Hapless or hypocritical? Civil servants have had enough of being attacked to save the Big Dog
24 Jan 2022 Civil Service Reform
Hapless or hypocritical? Civil servants have had enough of being attacked to save the Big Dog
A Friday-evening press release accompanied by anonymous briefings doesn't indicate strong leadership, but it does have the whiff of Red Meat sacrificed, along with civil service morale, to save a floundering prime minister
Dave Penman: time for No.10 to settle its tab on Partygate
18 Jan 2022 HR
Dave Penman: time for No.10 to settle its tab on Partygate
No-one can escape their personal accountability for following the letter and spirit of the law, and those in government should set an example
Penman: High Court ruling on Patel case sets an important precedent to protect civil servants
07 Dec 2021 HR
Penman: High Court ruling on Patel case sets an important precedent to protect civil servants
FDA's judicial review has made it clear the ministerial code is more than just a political document, but the case shows how much change is needed
Standards in public life? Sorry, we’re not familiar with that phrase
12 Nov 2021 HR
Standards in public life? Sorry, we’re not familiar with that phrase
Bullying, intimidation and an untimely attempt to overhaul the standards system – with political accountability seemingly a thing of the past, it’s no wonder that the irony meter has blown its fuse
Dave Penman: Oliver Dowden is pedalling falsehoods with his Peloton attack on civil servants
07 Oct 2021 HR
Dave Penman: Oliver Dowden is pedalling falsehoods with his Peloton attack on civil servants
Oliver Dowden knows his attack on officials working from home was untrue, but he is happy to undermine morale for cheap laughs at party conference
Dave Penman: Riffing Rishi’s Pret project could undermine civil service relocation drive
05 Aug 2021 HR
Dave Penman: Riffing Rishi’s Pret project could undermine civil service relocation drive
Ministers are starting to drop hints about driving civil servants back to the office again as the summer break starts. But this could undermine the government’s own efforts to move officials out of Whitehall
Dave Penman: Bold ideas and recipes for chaos from the Commission for Smart Government
15 Jul 2021 Civil Service Reform
Dave Penman: Bold ideas and recipes for chaos from the Commission for Smart Government
The new review is a serious piece of work, and comes just weeks after the government’s own declaration on reform. But do ministers have a clear strategy for the reform they want?
Dave Penman: Dom should put up or shut up
17 Jun 2021 Coronavirus
Dave Penman: Dom should put up or shut up
The prime minister’s former top adviser fired broadsides across all of Whitehall in his evidence on the government’s coronavirus response. But we got more accusations than facts
Dave Penman: Standards in public strife
24 May 2021 Leadership
Dave Penman: Standards in public strife
The various inquiries dogging the government do not seem to have affected it electorally. Unfortunately, that seems to be the only thing that matters to the PM, Dave Penman writes
Opinion: In the office, but out of touch
13 Apr 2021 Civil Service Reform
Opinion: In the office, but out of touch
The prime minister and chancellor have both begun encouraging people back to the workplace after Covid. But government would be much better served learning the flexible working lessons of the pandemic
Dave Penman: Why the FDA launched a judicial review over PM’s support for Patel
22 Feb 2021 HR
Dave Penman: Why the FDA launched a judicial review over PM’s support for Patel
Boris Johnson’s backing for the home secretary despite evidence of bullying means ministers now have to meet a lower standard of conduct than civil servants. This can’t go unchallenged
Dave Penman: Lessons from HMRC’s groundbreaking pay deal
12 Feb 2021 HR
Dave Penman: Lessons from HMRC’s groundbreaking pay deal
The new pay package from HMRC shows a department that is setting the pace in pay and reward for civil servants. Other departments should hurry to catch up
Dave Penman: There’s huge demand from civil servants for greater flexible working. Departments should help make it happen
12 Jan 2021 HR
Dave Penman: There’s huge demand from civil servants for greater flexible working. Departments should help make it happen
FDA research reveals many civil servants want to hold on to home working even after the coronavirus emergency. Ministers must catch up to where their workforce is
‘We have a moral vacuum at the heart of government’: Dave Penman on the PM’s Patel decision
23 Nov 2020 HR
‘We have a moral vacuum at the heart of government’: Dave Penman on the PM’s Patel decision
Pledges by Boris Johnson about tackling bullying in the future are not only hollow but insulting following last week’s events, says the FDA general secretary
Dave Penman: The new big beast enters the alpacas' den
27 Oct 2020 Civil Service Reform
Dave Penman: The new big beast enters the alpacas' den
Simon Case’s first appearance before the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs select committee meant that Dave Penman heard his voice for the first time. And he had a lot to say.
Dave Penman: the government’s return-to-office drive is yet another insult to civil servants
08 Sep 2020 Civil Service Reform
Dave Penman: the government’s return-to-office drive is yet another insult to civil servants
The introduction of targets for officials to get back into departments is gesture politics, says the FDA general secretary, and is likely to fail
Dave Penman: Civil servants must not fear they will be sacrificed, undermined and discarded – that’s no way to run a government
27 Aug 2020 HR
Dave Penman: Civil servants must not fear they will be sacrificed, undermined and discarded – that’s no way to run a government
"If those who you routinely ask to go that extra mile, feel that at a moment’s notice they will be sacrificed, undermined, briefed against and discarded, then you will not attract the best people and you will not get the most out of them"