Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Civil Service: Industrial Relations

Thursday 8 December 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chris Stephens asked about the assessment of industrial relations in the civil service, noting disputes between the Public and Commercial Services Union and several employers.
  • Mary Glindon raised concerns about upcoming strikes following a ballot where 86.2% of PCS members voted for strike action due to dissatisfaction with the Government's pay offer.
  • Chris Stephens inquired if meaningful talks are happening with civil service trade unions and how the Government plans to avoid disruption and address workers' demands.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Stephens SNP
Employment
Context

The question arises from disputes between trade unions and government departments within the civil service.

Question

What assessment has been made of the state of industrial relations in the civil service? Departments are responsible for engaging with recognised trade unions at departmental and local level, but the Public and Commercial Services Union is currently in dispute with several employers, calling for strike action. What dialogue efforts have taken place?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

The Cabinet Office is not the employer of all civil servants and Departments are responsible for engaging with recognised trade unions at departmental and local level. The Public and Commercial Services Union is currently in dispute with a number of employers, calling for strike action. We remain open to continued dialogue to bring about a resolution.

Answered
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Q2 Mary Glindon Lab Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
Economy Employment
Context

PCS members voted for a strike over issues including pay, pensions, job cuts and redundancy terms. A substantial 86.2% of the ballot supported striking next week at several departments.

Question

Following a ballot with more than 150,000 civil servant PCS members where 86.2% voted for strike action on pay, pensions, job cuts and redundancy terms, strikes will start next week. Does the Minister accept that his Government's insulting pay deal of just under 3%, amid a cost of living crisis, is responsible for this situation?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

We regret these strikes will take place and impact citizens. With inflation at 11%, providing a 11% increase across public sector would cost about £28 billion. The unions' demands are not affordable for the taxpayer, but our door remains open for dialogue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific responsibility of government for pay deal

How: Regret, Inflation Context

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Q3 Chris Stephens SNP
NHS Employment
Context

Workers in 124 Government departments and public bodies have a mandate for strike action. Workers plan to take industrial action amid disputes over pay, investment in jobs, and conditions.

Question

With workers at 124 Government departments having a mandate for strike action, will the Minister confirm that meaningful talks with civil service trade unions are happening? How does the Government intend to avoid widespread disruption and bring forward a fair deal on pay, job investment, and ending attacks on terms and conditions?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

We will ensure public services continue despite strikes. We regret strike action but value workers' contributions. However, demands for an 11% pay increase are not affordable. We aim to mitigate impacts and have dialogue open with unions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific plans to avoid disruption

How: Regret, Affordability

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