Dave Penman

@fdagensec.bsky.social

1129 Followers 225 Following

General Secretary FDA union. ACAS Council member. TUC Trustee, General Council and Executive Committee member. Chair Unions21

Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office Satvir Kaur MP and FDA General Secretary Dave Penman signing a formal recognition agreement for Special Advisers.
Copy of FDA statement: Sir Oliver Robbins submits legal challenge of his dismissal The FDA represents Sir Oliver Robbins. Olly has today issued proceedings requesting a Judicial Review of his dismissal as Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Head of the Diplomatic Service. The Prime Minister has acknowledged that his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States in December 2024 was a mistake. He should also admit that sacking Olly was a mistake, based on a grievous misunderstanding of how the National Security Vetting (NSV) system worked and a rash response to a media story. A point of principle is at stake, which affects all FDA members. It damages the core values of a professional and impartial civil service if its most senior officials can be dismissed on a Prime Ministerial whim, without even the semblance of a fair process or considered understanding of the core issue. Olly’s submission to the Court is that: The Prime Minister has asserted publicly that it was his decision to dismiss Olly, however the Prime Minister has no statutory authority to dismiss the Head of the Diplomatic Service; Not only was there no fair procedure involved in his dismissal, there was no process at all; and Insofar as Olly has been given reasons for his dismissal, they are irrational. Rather than being under a duty to tell ministers about the process leading up to the vetting decision, Olly was under an obligation not to. The process is independent of government ministers, who are only informed of the final outcome. This position was confirmed in a letter of 16 September 2025 that was signed by the Foreign Secretary, using text both drafted and approved by No.10
Screenshot of the Politico website where Reform UK’s Danny Kruger describes the civil service as ‘clapped out’.
View from Venue Cymru in Llandudno, the location for the 2026 TUC Cymru Congress
Delivering my speech at the 2026 FDA Annual Delegate Conference
Peter Case singing into a microphone and playing a guitar on stage at Loppen music venue in Copenhagen.
Press release from FDA Union. “Farcical” to wait until 2030 to make decision on restoration and renewal of parliament, says FDA Responding to the latest publication of UK Parliament’s Restoration and Renewal Board, Delivering restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: the costed proposals, FDA General Secretary Dave Penman said: “It is farcical that a decision has not already been reached. The Restoration and Renewal Programme was established in 2013 and MPs were first asked to consider options and make recommendations in 2015. “Waiting until 2030 to make the decision on enhanced maintenance versus a full decant of the parliamentary estate is not a viable option. “Over a decade has already passed. The facts have not changed. Independent reports and parliamentary staff agree - a full decant of the estate is the safest, quickest, and most cost-effective way to make parliament safe. Every other measure fails to adequately address safety and security concerns. “The only thing that has changed is the increased costs and danger. Since 2015, costs have risen from £3.8 billion to £15.6 billion as construction prices have increased, the building falls further into disrepair, and we continue to spend £75.9 million a year just on maintenance. “In the last decade there has also been 36 fire incidents, 12 asbestos incidents, and 19 stonemasonry incidents. “No more reports, no more commissions, no more dithering and delaying. Parliamentary leaders must now take an urgent position on the delivery approach and choose a full decant of the estate. “The health and safety of members, staff, and visitors take precedence. We cannot wait for a catastrophic incident to focus minds and make the decision for us.”
Press release from the FDA Union responding to Reform UK's plans for the civil service announced this morning by Danny Kruger
Member Iain Campbell accepting the FDA’s highly commended award for best campaign communication for ARC’s Funding the Nation.
St Andrew’s cross made up of Scotland football players and their manager, with the slogan ‘We’ll be coming 26’
Photo from Deacon Blue concert at Wembley, October 2025
Graphic card with details of FDA fringe event at Labour Party conference on public sector pay and pension.
Photo of Prospect Senior Deputy General Secretary Sue Ferns OBE
FDA press release: ‘Disappointing’ lack of workforce plan leaves more questions than answers over spending review cuts, says FDA
Paul Nowak singing and playing guitar at the Betsey Trotwood pub