WIREDGOV

The decision by the permanent secretaries of government departments to give up their 'bonuses' this year was commended today by the FDA, the union for senior managers and professionals in the public service.

Jonathan Baume, FDA General Secretary, said:

"This decision should be commended as an act of leadership by the heads of government departments at a time of economic crisis in the UK. The jobs of permanent secretaries are highly demanding and complex, and they are often paid a lot less than other comparable jobs in both the private and public sector. Nor are any civil servants entitled to the lavish allowances and expenses that Ministers and MPs are able to take advantage of.

"We share the view of Sir Gus O'Donnell that the civil service is working harder than ever as the pressures on government grow, and this should be recognised.

"It is therefore important that all other members of the Senior Civil Service (SCS) must continue to receive this variable pay. These are not bonuses in the usual sense. Instead, part of the pay of all Senior Civil Servants is held back and instead distributed based on performance. This system was introduced by the Conservative Government in 1996 and is overseen by the independent Senior Salaries Review Body. The level of variable pay is modest compared to the private sector, and the median salary for Senior Civil Servants is about £75,000."

Notes for Editors

1.The FDA is the trade union and professional body representing 18,000 of the UK's senior civil and public servants. Our members include policy advisors, senior managers, tax inspectors, economists, statisticians, accountants, special advisers, government lawyers, diplomats, crown prosecutors and NHS managers.

2.Members in HMRC are represented by the Association of Revenue and Customs (ARC), a section of the FDA.

3.The FDA (formerly the First Division Association) should be referred to simply as "The FDA" and can be described as "the senior public servants' union".

4.For further information contact:

Jonathan Baume, General Secretary, tel: 020 8980 0783 or 020 7401 5555 or 07976 951191.

Oliver Rowe, Communications Officer, tel 020 401 5588 or 07590 838696.