Union Leader Demands End to 'Barking Mad' Civil Service Pay Restraints
Mike Clancy, the general secretary of the Prospect union, has issued a stark warning to ministers, urging them to abandon what he calls "barking mad" restraints on civil service pay. He argues that without competitive salaries, the government will struggle to recruit and retain the technical and digital specialists essential for modern governance. Clancy emphasized that senior specialists in high-demand fields should realistically earn more than the prime minister, challenging what he describes as a "rightwing trope" that unfairly limits public sector compensation.
Resource Shortages Crippling Regulatory Agencies
The union's intervention comes amid growing evidence of severe resourcing issues within key regulatory bodies. According to Prospect, lack of resources was responsible for a staggering 75% of missed deadlines at the Environment Agency. Similarly, Natural England failed to meet target response times for 1,316 planning applications, with 58% of delays attributed to low resources, including staff absences and a shortage of specialist expertise. These figures highlight a systemic problem that Clancy says undermines the government's ability to deliver on infrastructure, housing, and environmental projects.
Clancy criticized the government's approach, stating, "The government has not done enough and has not been as energetic on setting a clear pay and reward agenda for deliverers. If it's keen on actively recruiting and retaining them, and them being the driver of the civil service mission, you can't divorce it from pay. This is a deep inhibitor upon the government's plans." He pointed to agencies like the Met Office and Hydrographic Office, where skilled professionals are essential for national operations.
Deregulation Warnings and Employment Rights Concerns
In addition to pay issues, Clancy cautioned the government against making "stump speeches" about deregulation, arguing that delays in critical sectors often stem from resource shortages rather than regulatory burdens. "Regulators are builders, not blockers," he asserted, emphasizing that well-resourced regulation can boost productivity and business growth. He urged ministers to gather evidence and engage in constructive dialogue instead of pursuing blanket deregulation policies.
Clancy also expressed concerns about the implementation of the Employment Rights Act, which he helped shape as the TUC's lead. He warned of risks that zero-hours contract measures could be diluted and noted that promises to end bogus self-employment have been pushed to the "back burner." He called for the government to confidently assert the act's shift toward protecting workers' rights, stating, "It's saying that employee voice matters, individual rights matter and that we want to pursue growth, not on the basis of precarity."
Broader Implications for Public Services
The staffing crisis extends beyond regulatory agencies, affecting overall civil service efficiency. Clancy's comments follow statements from Darren Jones, the prime minister's chief secretary, who advocated for a civil service that "moves fast and fixes things" by hiring more risk-takers and delivery experts. However, Clancy contends that without addressing pay disparities, such initiatives will fall short. He stressed that the clock is ticking for the government to resolve these issues, as the inability to retain technical experts hampers progress on national priorities like climate action and infrastructure development.
Ultimately, Clancy's message is clear: ministers must prioritize fair pay and adequate resourcing to build a competent and motivated civil service. Failure to do so, he warns, will leave the government ill-equipped to tackle the complex challenges of the modern era, from environmental protection to economic growth.
