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Focus on you - GON

12 August 2010

PCS members work in hundreds of different government departments, agencies and private sector companies but we often struggle with the same issues. Each month we ask a different group of members What's it like working at Government Office Network?

What are the issues facing members in the Government Office Network (GON)?

Members face the real threat of redundancy. Without any proper consultation, the Communities and Local Government secretary Eric Pickles has announced that he intends to close the Government Office Network.

This will mean massive cuts across all government departments, while redeployment opportunities will be few and far between. The recent announcement that the government intends to amend legislation following PCS’s successful legal challenge on redundancy pay is another blow, as payments will be slashed for those who leave.

Lack of information on closure timescales and the process for dealing with surplus staff, and uncertainty about what, if any, work will continue, make it very hard for members to plan for the future. They have been left demoralised.

What are the top three priorities for members over the next few months?

Members want to see the union work hard for assurances that no one will be made compulsorily redundant.

With proposals to repatriate staff to their parent department, assurances that mobile grades will not be forced to relocate to London or risk losing their jobs will also be at the top of the agenda.

Practical help for members who want to look for alternative employment in the public or private sector is an area where management and the union can work together.

Can you tell us about any recent successes and therefore why GON should be kept?

It is doubtful if departments could manage from London as effectively without the depth of knowledge that Government Offices (GOs) have. Government Offices provide a link between government and localities during the floods that affected England in 2007 and 2009. Prior to GOs taking on this role, the lack of coordination during the foot and mouth outbreak was heavily criticised.

GOs have facilitated many ministerial visits by suggesting events and providing briefing and accompanying officers. They have also arranged cabinet meetings outside of London, most recently in Bradford. Government Offices ensure that ministers can engage with MPs and their constituents on specific local issues.

Are there any practical ways in which readers can support GON staff?

Readers, their families and friends can contact their MPs highlighting the work that Government Offices do and asking them to lobby to retain as many of the network’s functions as possible and to sign Early Day Motion 362.

We hope retaining functions in the regions, if not specifically in GON, will go some way towards safeguarding jobs. There is an e-letter on the PCS website www.pcs.org.uk/goe which members can use as a template to write to their MP.

What is the best thing about working for the GON?

Members in Government Offices get the opportunity to see and understand policies from a range of departments, so there is lots of variety. As the things we’re involved in are often local to us, we can see a real impact on the ground.

We work with many external partners who value our knowledge, expertise and skills, and it’s good to see positive results from bringing different people together. And of course, colleagues in the GON are great to work with and have loads of expertise and enthusiasm.

What does the GON do?

Government Offices enable communities to have one joined-up conversation with central government, rather than 13 separate ones. This conversation is two-way, helping communities understand government policy, and providing an important channel for them to influence and question Whitehall.

This ensures that departments’ aspirations for delivery are realistic, reflect local circumstances and do not duplicate or conflict with other departmental activity.

We see a role for GOs in integrating departmental policies for delivery and influence at a local level and playing a significant part in enhancing the relationship between Whitehall departments and local authorities, the voluntary and community sector, local business, faith groups and other stakeholders.