Public and Commercial Services Union

We're told that the cuts in the civil service are about making it more efficient.

But members' emails to our Waste Report are telling a different story.

What is the Waste Report?

The Waste Report is an opportunity to report examples of any wasteful or inefficient practises seen in the workplace.

So far we have had a good response, and collected stories, anecdotes and information on things like management extravagances, under staffing, service delivery problems caused by the job cuts, IT problems and the wasteful use of consultants or agency staff.

This is an ongoing project. If you wish to provide any stories or information on these issues or any other topic of concern, please email to wastereport@pcs.org.uk or write to the Protect Public Service Unit, 160 Falcon Road, London SW11 2LN.

  Waste report feedback sheet

Please provide your contact details so that we can request further information, if required.

The information collected will be used to inform the PCS national campaign to defend jobs, pensions and services.

Examples of waste we have uncovered

The following are just some of the examples that we have received:

MoD mouse rip-off

In the Ministry of Defence quotes for the preffered IT Contractor are much higher than using local companies. For example, the contractor charges over £60 for a mouse that otherwise would have a shelf value of £5.

CPS drowning in stationery

In the Crown Prosecution Service the stationary budget at Wakefield Service Centre was so under-spent at the cut off date that £250,000 worth of goods were bought and delivered in 2 juggernaughts.

David Brent hits the DWP

In the Department of Work and Pensions where 30,000 jobs are being axed the Department have spent in excess of £50,000 on mandatory training events.

These events aimed at getting staff to 'think outside the box' included exercises such as flapping paper fish on the floor, dancing, and being made to rap or sing contributions.

Members described this as being like something out of The Office TV programme. Meanwhile one Jobcentre Plus office hired highly paid consultants to boost staff morale. The result? More plants in the office and sweets hidden in staff's drawers.

HMRC splashing out on consultants

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs' Information Management Solutions (IMS) is employing consultants on an average daily rate of £750. These consultants sit opposite civil servants who do the same job at £120 per day.

These are business analysts designing IT systems for HMRC. HMRC are paying out for these consultants because they are failing to train any more of their staff with the latest analytical tools.

As civil service workers are leaving consultants are being brought in to replace them. For example on the Tax Credits team there are more consultants employed as analysts than civil servants.