The first major survey of civil servants since the government
announced its reform plans has revealed a stark disconnect
between the government's agenda and civil servants' faith in how
it is being delivered.
The survey, conducted by Prospect, a trade union representing
tens of thousands of civil and public servants in specialist
roles across government, also found that only a small percentage
believe the civil service is effective and that there is a
majority support for trying to improve the way it operates.
After 15 years of cuts to pay and capacity fewer than
one-in-three Prospect members surveyed (28%) thought the civil
service was effective at delivering its core objectives, though
46% thought their parent organisation was effective, and 68% said
their team was effective.
Two thirds of those surveyed (66%) supported measures to improve
the performance of the civil service.
However, while Prospect members back reform in principle, they
are largely ambivalent about the government's specific plans,
with more than half scoring them 3 [where 1 is not all positive
and 5 very positive].
Prospect members also identified a number of risks to the
government agenda. The greatest risk to civil service reform is
from poor implementation. Factors identified as a ‘high risk' are
indiscriminate job cuts 77%, poorly managed change 85%, an
unclear plan for reform 86%, and a shortage people with the right
skills 89%. The commitment of civil servants is viewed as a much
lower risk, at 50% of respondents.
More generally there is a clearly a problem with communication,
morale and uncertainty around the reforms. A third of respondents
are unsure whether their organisation will be affected by reform.
On top of that 84% say communication on the issue has been poor,
and 57% describe morale as poor in their organisation following
civil service reform announcements.
Mike Clancy General Secretary of Prospect, said:
“The idea that civil servants are set against reform is simply
wrong; our members see the case for change as much as anyone. But
while they support the idea of improving the civil service,
expert Prospect members are also clear that change needs to be
managed properly if it is to be effective.
“First and foremost, as Prospect has been warning for some time,
a tick box exercise based on arbitrary numbers is likely to be
counter-productive. What's more, any change must be done in
partnership with the workforce and communicated effectively. The
worst thing for morale is uncertainty and poor communication.
“Whether they are scientists or data engineers, our members are
the specialists the government needs to deliver on its missions.
They need to be fully engaged in shaping the reform agenda so it
can create a civil service fit for the modern age.”
Ends
Note to editors
Nearly 3,000 members responded from across the civil service.
Respondents work for central government departments, agencies,
non-departmental government bodies (NDPBs) and other arms' length
public sector bodies included within the wider civil service.
Prospect members working for devolved government organisations or
public service corporations were not included in the survey.
