Dave Penman
@fdagensec.bsky.social
General Secretary FDA union. ACAS Council member. TUC Trustee, General Council and Executive Committee member. Chair Unions21
Well. That was a match. At last Scotland’s renowned Samba soccer gets the credit it deserves. We’ll be coming 🏴
November 18, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Well. That was a match. At last Scotland’s renowned Samba soccer gets the credit it deserves. We’ll be coming 🏴
It was a pleasure to meet with Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, Federal Minister of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives and Inter Provincial Coordination in the Pakistan Govt & his team, looking at civil service reform & lessons that can be learnt from the UK experience.
November 7, 2025 at 5:26 PM
It was a pleasure to meet with Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, Federal Minister of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives and Inter Provincial Coordination in the Pakistan Govt & his team, looking at civil service reform & lessons that can be learnt from the UK experience.
If you’re in Fylde View come down and say hi - in reception room all day, and lunchtime in room A3.05.
November 6, 2025 at 11:32 AM
If you’re in Fylde View come down and say hi - in reception room all day, and lunchtime in room A3.05.
A race to the bottom on pensions will only worsen the crisis in our public services, with the civil service already unable to compete on attracting & retaining talent.
Reforming public services takes investment in people, skills & tech, which Reform need to recognise if serious about governing.
Reforming public services takes investment in people, skills & tech, which Reform need to recognise if serious about governing.
Scoop: As Nigel Farage prepares to make his big economic speech, his deputy gets into a spat with a senior trade union boss ...
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/exclus...
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/exclus...
Exclusive: Union Boss Slams Reform's Richard Tice Over Plan To Slash Pensions
The party's deputy leader said public spending needs to fall.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 1:07 PM
A race to the bottom on pensions will only worsen the crisis in our public services, with the civil service already unable to compete on attracting & retaining talent.
Reforming public services takes investment in people, skills & tech, which Reform need to recognise if serious about governing.
Reforming public services takes investment in people, skills & tech, which Reform need to recognise if serious about governing.
As I told @christopherhope.bsky.social, government works well when civil servants are there to offer ministers impartial, evidence-based advice. That only works if they are hired based on what they know, rather than what they believe.
October 31, 2025 at 12:48 PM
As I told @christopherhope.bsky.social, government works well when civil servants are there to offer ministers impartial, evidence-based advice. That only works if they are hired based on what they know, rather than what they believe.
Scapegoating the civil service didn’t work as a strategy for the last government and it won’t work for this one.
As I told @georgewparker.bsky.social anonymous briefings against the Cabinet Secretary are always self-deafting for governments.
www.ft.com/content/e7c6...
As I told @georgewparker.bsky.social anonymous briefings against the Cabinet Secretary are always self-deafting for governments.
www.ft.com/content/e7c6...
Downing Street ‘viper’s nest’ causes civil service dismay
Briefings against cabinet secretary Chris Wormald point to infighting at heart of Starmer government
www.ft.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Scapegoating the civil service didn’t work as a strategy for the last government and it won’t work for this one.
As I told @georgewparker.bsky.social anonymous briefings against the Cabinet Secretary are always self-deafting for governments.
www.ft.com/content/e7c6...
As I told @georgewparker.bsky.social anonymous briefings against the Cabinet Secretary are always self-deafting for governments.
www.ft.com/content/e7c6...
The prime minister could - and should - put an end to this briefing now. It's counterproductive, unfair to individuals and damages the trust that is essential to good government. That's the lesson Cummings admirers should learn.
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
The briefings against Chris Wormald damage the trust that is essential to good government
For the Cummings admirers in No.10 reading this: Anyone can break a system down, putting it back together is a different skill
www.civilserviceworld.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The prime minister could - and should - put an end to this briefing now. It's counterproductive, unfair to individuals and damages the trust that is essential to good government. That's the lesson Cummings admirers should learn.
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
As I said to @kateemccann.bsky.social, imagine working in the Home Office where a Home Sec got a free pass despite bullying staff, where policy after policy failed & though trying to make it work, ministers blamed you as part of an activist blob & you're now told you have a defeatist attitude.
October 23, 2025 at 12:18 PM
As I said to @kateemccann.bsky.social, imagine working in the Home Office where a Home Sec got a free pass despite bullying staff, where policy after policy failed & though trying to make it work, ministers blamed you as part of an activist blob & you're now told you have a defeatist attitude.
As I told @kateemccann.bsky.social, Nick Timothy's report fails to look at the root cause of the problems that exist within parts of the Home Office - it's not listening circles that have caused chaotic immigration policy, it's unstable political leadership.
October 23, 2025 at 10:41 AM
As I told @kateemccann.bsky.social, Nick Timothy's report fails to look at the root cause of the problems that exist within parts of the Home Office - it's not listening circles that have caused chaotic immigration policy, it's unstable political leadership.
It’s a privilege to have been appointed to ACAS Council. I look forward working fellow Council members and the brilliant team of dedicated public servants at ACAS to help make the world of work a better, more productive place for employees and employers.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Ministers confirm appointment of new Acas Council members
Nicola Smith and Dave Penman have been appointed by ministers as worker members of the Acas Council.
www.gov.uk
October 6, 2025 at 2:35 PM
It’s a privilege to have been appointed to ACAS Council. I look forward working fellow Council members and the brilliant team of dedicated public servants at ACAS to help make the world of work a better, more productive place for employees and employers.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
The songs of @deaconbluemusic have been the soundtrack to my adult life. From the first mesmerising performance at the Black Isle show in ‘87 to the Big Day, Barras, Fruit Market, Hammersmith, Royal Albert Hall and now Wembley, All the more special to share with my 8 year old.
October 3, 2025 at 10:19 PM
The songs of @deaconbluemusic have been the soundtrack to my adult life. From the first mesmerising performance at the Black Isle show in ‘87 to the Big Day, Barras, Fruit Market, Hammersmith, Royal Albert Hall and now Wembley, All the more special to share with my 8 year old.
If we want public services to succeed, they need to be able to attract and retain the best talent.
Looking forward to discussing pay and pension reform at our joint fringe meeting with @instituteforgovernment.org.uk at #Lab25
Looking forward to discussing pay and pension reform at our joint fringe meeting with @instituteforgovernment.org.uk at #Lab25
September 30, 2025 at 10:46 AM
If we want public services to succeed, they need to be able to attract and retain the best talent.
Looking forward to discussing pay and pension reform at our joint fringe meeting with @instituteforgovernment.org.uk at #Lab25
Looking forward to discussing pay and pension reform at our joint fringe meeting with @instituteforgovernment.org.uk at #Lab25
As I told @listentotimesradio.bsky.social, the premise that the civil service isn’t impartial because its inclusive and doesn’t discriminate against the LGBT+ community doesn’t stand up to scrutiny.
When does a commitment to treat people equally become political?
When does a commitment to treat people equally become political?
September 13, 2025 at 11:03 AM
As I told @listentotimesradio.bsky.social, the premise that the civil service isn’t impartial because its inclusive and doesn’t discriminate against the LGBT+ community doesn’t stand up to scrutiny.
When does a commitment to treat people equally become political?
When does a commitment to treat people equally become political?
Do Reform UK really think surrounding ministers with believers, people who will only reinforce their ideas, is the best way to govern? Rather than a minister being challenged by evidence from civil servants.
Last night on @listentotimesradio.bsky.social I discussed Reform UK's civil service "plan"
Last night on @listentotimesradio.bsky.social I discussed Reform UK's civil service "plan"
September 13, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Do Reform UK really think surrounding ministers with believers, people who will only reinforce their ideas, is the best way to govern? Rather than a minister being challenged by evidence from civil servants.
Last night on @listentotimesradio.bsky.social I discussed Reform UK's civil service "plan"
Last night on @listentotimesradio.bsky.social I discussed Reform UK's civil service "plan"
As I told @nickferrarilbc.bsky.social, are Reform UK really saying that their government would come in and sack 20,000 civil servants and recruit 20,000 more and test them for their 'belief' in Reform policies?
This is a completely impractical way to think about complex policy issues.
This is a completely impractical way to think about complex policy issues.
September 12, 2025 at 8:58 AM
As I told @nickferrarilbc.bsky.social, are Reform UK really saying that their government would come in and sack 20,000 civil servants and recruit 20,000 more and test them for their 'belief' in Reform policies?
This is a completely impractical way to think about complex policy issues.
This is a completely impractical way to think about complex policy issues.
A government in a hurry just pressed the pause button across a range of significant policy areas. If delivery is the key, stability is one of the best ways to deliver it.
My latest column for @civilserviceworld.bsky.social
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
My latest column for @civilserviceworld.bsky.social
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
If delivery is the government's focus, stability is one of the best ways to deliver it
What began as a week focused on delivery ended with a major cabinet reshuffle. But ministers need time to get up to speed and for every new appoint...
www.civilserviceworld.com
September 10, 2025 at 2:37 PM
A government in a hurry just pressed the pause button across a range of significant policy areas. If delivery is the key, stability is one of the best ways to deliver it.
My latest column for @civilserviceworld.bsky.social
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
My latest column for @civilserviceworld.bsky.social
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
The FDA's grown by over 60% in the past 10 years - that's down to our reps and members.
@paulnowaktuc.bsky.social can't support them and do what he does best, represent working people across the country, if running for election every 5 years. That won't grow the movement, it'll paralyse it.
@paulnowaktuc.bsky.social can't support them and do what he does best, represent working people across the country, if running for election every 5 years. That won't grow the movement, it'll paralyse it.
September 10, 2025 at 11:58 AM
The FDA's grown by over 60% in the past 10 years - that's down to our reps and members.
@paulnowaktuc.bsky.social can't support them and do what he does best, represent working people across the country, if running for election every 5 years. That won't grow the movement, it'll paralyse it.
@paulnowaktuc.bsky.social can't support them and do what he does best, represent working people across the country, if running for election every 5 years. That won't grow the movement, it'll paralyse it.
Great to speak to @listentotimesradio.bsky.social about union's relationship with govt last night. We try to influence govt to do what we think is in the best interest of working people & the country. At times, govt will make decisions that disappoint us, and we have to be grown up about that.
September 10, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Great to speak to @listentotimesradio.bsky.social about union's relationship with govt last night. We try to influence govt to do what we think is in the best interest of working people & the country. At times, govt will make decisions that disappoint us, and we have to be grown up about that.
We’ve just seen a weekend of high political drama, which meant our motion at TUC Congress 2025 on standards in government was more prescient than expected.
September 7, 2025 at 5:27 PM
We’ve just seen a weekend of high political drama, which meant our motion at TUC Congress 2025 on standards in government was more prescient than expected.
Good to see @pjtheeconomist.bsky.social address an issue that successive govt’s have chosen to ignore. Pay in the civil service is uncompetitive across the spectrum of grades, roles and locations. (1/3)
www.thetimes.com/business-mon...
www.thetimes.com/business-mon...
We need fat cats in the public sector if we want the best policy
Public sector pay is a fraction of what similar private sector roles command
www.thetimes.com
September 1, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Good to see @pjtheeconomist.bsky.social address an issue that successive govt’s have chosen to ignore. Pay in the civil service is uncompetitive across the spectrum of grades, roles and locations. (1/3)
www.thetimes.com/business-mon...
www.thetimes.com/business-mon...
What you won’t get from this article is that the head of the NICS got the same pay rise as the rest of the civil service – negotiated by trade unions – or that the most senior staff have exactly the same pension scheme as the rest of the civil service. 1/5
Despite failing to reform the floundering NI Civil Service, its boss, Jayne Brady, has seen her salary and pension contributions rocket £30,000 in just one year for a "satisfactory" performance - and no one will say who approved it.
Head of NI Civil Service sees salary and pension rise by £30k in year
Stormont’s top civil servant has seen her salary and pension payments hiked by £30,000 in a single year due to “satisfactory” performance — but the Civil Service won’t say who made that decision.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
September 1, 2025 at 12:02 PM
What you won’t get from this article is that the head of the NICS got the same pay rise as the rest of the civil service – negotiated by trade unions – or that the most senior staff have exactly the same pension scheme as the rest of the civil service. 1/5
Good to see Steerpike‘s commitment to recycling old junk. Civil service has the lowest absence rates in the public sector & last year of full stats showed a fall in rates.
Revealed: Mental health claims see Foreign Office absences soar
✍️ Steerpike
www.spectator.co.uk/article/reve...
✍️ Steerpike
www.spectator.co.uk/article/reve...
Revealed: Mental health claims see Foreign Office absences soar
Back to the UK’s bloated civil service. As if the government didn’t have enough on its plate trying to slash Whitehall red tape, the number of sick days taken by civil servants won’t help Sir Keir…
www.spectator.co.uk
August 19, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Good to see Steerpike‘s commitment to recycling old junk. Civil service has the lowest absence rates in the public sector & last year of full stats showed a fall in rates.
As I told @kateemccann.bsky.social the civil service has the lowest sickness rates in the public sector & the rates dropped last year. There is no evidence to back up accusations of laziness. Most civil servants deal with the public which can lead to higher rates of short term illness.
August 6, 2025 at 8:34 AM
As I told @kateemccann.bsky.social the civil service has the lowest sickness rates in the public sector & the rates dropped last year. There is no evidence to back up accusations of laziness. Most civil servants deal with the public which can lead to higher rates of short term illness.
Reposted by Dave Penman
"The civil service does have a real and long documented problem with attracting working class talent".
Speaking to Times Radio FDA National Officer Robert Eagleton discussed planned changes to the civil service summer internship.
Speaking to Times Radio FDA National Officer Robert Eagleton discussed planned changes to the civil service summer internship.
August 2, 2025 at 7:44 AM
"The civil service does have a real and long documented problem with attracting working class talent".
Speaking to Times Radio FDA National Officer Robert Eagleton discussed planned changes to the civil service summer internship.
Speaking to Times Radio FDA National Officer Robert Eagleton discussed planned changes to the civil service summer internship.
The civil service has made a lot of progress in improving its diversity, but as I told @shelaghfogarty.bsky.social it has further to go, particularly on socioeconomic backgrounds.
That requires a range of tactics, these changes to the summer internship programme aren't enough in isolation.
That requires a range of tactics, these changes to the summer internship programme aren't enough in isolation.
August 1, 2025 at 3:20 PM
The civil service has made a lot of progress in improving its diversity, but as I told @shelaghfogarty.bsky.social it has further to go, particularly on socioeconomic backgrounds.
That requires a range of tactics, these changes to the summer internship programme aren't enough in isolation.
That requires a range of tactics, these changes to the summer internship programme aren't enough in isolation.