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Pickles piles pressure on under-fire Government Office staff

12 August 2010

Responding to the release of information about the costs incurred by the Department for Communities and Local Government, PCS negotiations officer Kim Hendry said:

"It is perfectly legitimate to publish details of what the government spends its money on, and all parts of government should provide value for money.

"However, when it comes to the Government Offices, it is clear that, far from being about transparency, the release of the information is designed to denigrate staff at a time when the secretary of state Eric Pickles has announced plans to abolish them.

"This conveniently draws attention away from the fact that Mr Pickles has avoided any meaningful consultation with us and service users over this decision, and has failed to present a robust business case for abolition.

"Perhaps this is because he fears it would show the Government Offices offer good value for money, and provide an important link between localities and central government.

"It is worth noting that the reference to a visit to Blackpool Pleasure Beach was actually for room-hire for a Cabinet Office event where the defence secretary discussed the war in Afghanistan with the public.

"Local government minister Bob Neill speaks of a "culture of excess", when he himself was forced to repay expenses claimed from the taxpayer, and has previously claimed for a second home in his constituency just 12 miles from Westminster when his main home is in Southend, a short train ride away."

 

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