09 April 2004
Public sector finance managers have given strong backing to the government's plans to relocate thousands of civil servants from London to the provinces as part of a multibillion pound efficiency drive.
This month's Public Inquiry, conducted in conjunction with Reed Accountancy Personnel, reveals that 70% of those surveyed support the findings of the review by Sir Michael Lyons.
Lyons' report, released alongside last month's Budget, called for 20,000 Whitehall jobs to be transferred to cities such as Bristol, Liverpool and Sheffield over the next 15 years.
The recommendations are causing concern among many civil servants, but our respondents are much more upbeat.
Just 18% reject the proposition that the proposed relocation will 'ease recruitment difficulties across the public sector and stimulate economic growth in the regions'.
Even among those working in central government, who may be directly affected, support for Lyons' findings is running at 60%.
But many are concerned that Gordon Brown's 1.75% inflation target, which he expects pay deals to reflect, may make it difficult for public sector bodies to retain staff.
Six in ten respondents agreed that limiting pay deals to inflation-only rises will 'make it difficult for employers to offer satisfactory salary increases to retain key workers'. Just 24% think it would have no impact on whether staff stayed in their job.
At the same time, there is strong support for initiatives such as the key worker living programme, launched last month, to be expanded across the public sector.
Seventy-eight per cent of respondents believe such schemes are a 'vital tool in combating recruitment and retention blackspots'. Just 14% say that they will not help in this respect.
These results suggest a confused government approach to retaining key staff – on the one hand offering help with housing problems, but on the other keeping salaries down.
There is still a widespread belief, however, among public sector staff that their employers regard staff recruitment and retention as priorities.
Seven out of ten respondents agree, while just 19% believe that organisations no longer regard them as major issues.
PFapr2004
