WIREDGOV

Responding to Will Hutton's Review of Fair Pay in the Public Sector final report, Jonathan Baume, FDA General Secretary, said:

"The proposals to link pay to performance for Senior Civil Servants through a system of 'earn-back' is ill-conceived and will potentially create conflict with ministers who have ultimate responsibility for spending decisions and setting priorities.

"The FDA welcomes the report's recognition of the vital role that public services play in enhancing the quality of life for UK citizens, and underpinning economic performance. However, Will Hutton pays insufficient attention to the complex political environment in which Senior Civil Servants and many other public sector leaders operate.

"Particularly in the current economic climate, the public are unlikely to offer support for more bonuses, and public servants themselves will find the proposals demotivating.

"The FDA has supported greater transparency and accountability, and a strengthening of the role of the Senior Salaries Review Body, both of which will help restore public confidence in how senior pay levels are determined."

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, FDA General Secretary, tel: 020 7401 5555 or 07976 951191.
• Oliver Rowe, Communications Manager, tel: 020 7401 5588 or 07590 838696.