PCS responds to PM’s criticism of civil servants

The PM made the comments yesterday during a speech outlining his new 'Plan for change'.

As reported by Civil Service World, he said: “I don't think there's a swamp to be drained here,” referencing a phrase used by US politicians.

“But,” he said, “I do think that too many people in Whitehall are comfortable in the tepid bath of managed decline. Have forgotten, to paraphrase JFK, that you choose change not because it's easy, but because it's hard."

“I totally get that when trust in politics is so low, we must be careful about the promises we make, but across Whitehall and Westminster that's been internalised as ‘don't say anything, don't try anything too ambitious, set targets that will happen anyway'," he added.

PCS General Secretary Fran Heathcote said it was inaccurate to blame civil servants for failing to deliver reform.

“One of the reasons trust in politics is so low is because of politicians’ refusal to be accountable for anything. It’s always someone else’s fault,” she said. 

“To blame civil servants, who every day work above and beyond to keep the country running, for failing to deliver reform is inaccurate and, worse, cowardly. Accusing people who can’t answer back. Our members want the best for this country and will continue to work hard to deliver that.”