Latest news with #PatMcFadden
Telegraph
4 hours ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Labour quietly relaxes rules for £100k civil servant payouts
Labour has relaxed rules allowing civil servants to receive up to £100,000 in 'golden goodbye' severance payments, even if they leave by choice. Previously, government departments had to seek Treasury approval to compensate departing junior and mid-level employees for unused employee benefits or shortened notice periods. However, changes announced this week mean that departments can hand out payments worth thousands of pounds without having to consult the Treasury. It comes as Labour battles to trim the size of what Sir Keir Starmer described in an article for The Telegraph as an 'over-cautious, flabby state'. In April, it emerged that up to 1,200 employees from the Cabinet Office, headed by Pat McFadden, were facing redundancy. Statutory redundancy payments and payment for unused leave are separate from special severance payments, which in some cases can be worth tens of thousands of pounds. Special severance payments are paid to employees if they resign, are dismissed or reach an agreed termination of their contracts. They are not a legal right, and are instead treated as a special payment. They are commonly awarded to ministers when there is a change in government. Jeremy Hunt, the former Chancellor, was paid £16,876 last year, according to Treasury accounts. Employees may receive a special severance payment if, for example, they have unused employee benefits that continue beyond their last working day. Payments may also be awarded as compensation in lieu of notice. Last year, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) paid out £370,000 in special severance payments to 21 civil servants, with a median value of £10,000. The highest individual payment awarded was £96,000, according to DWP accounts. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) similarly spent £85,535 on nine severance payments last year, the highest of which was worth £25,000. John O'Connell, of the TaxPayers' Alliance campaign group, said it was 'frustrating' to see the large cost to the taxpayer 'just to get rid of staff'. He said: 'Taxpayers will be furious to find out that there is going to be even less control on the size of these payouts now that the Treasury's role in approving exit payments is being reduced. 'Ministers need to be reversing this decision, as well as bringing in a long overdue cap of £95,000 on all golden goodbyes.' The guidance issued to departments grants accounting officers the power to approve severance payments worth up to £100,000 without Treasury approval. However, documents passed to departments grant accountants the power to approve payments exceeding the £100,000 threshold for early severance cases linked to upcoming redundancy programmes. The changes do not affect payments to senior civil servants, special advisers and 'anyone earning over the senior level pay threshold'. Departments have also been warned against payments that are 'not affordable', and against making payments that 'add unfunded pressure to departmental spending budgets'. Accountants have been similarly urged not to make any payment that would 'set a precedent or have implications for wider government policy or other settlements' by paying out sums that 'differ markedly' from previous settlements.
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- General
- South Wales Guardian
Public to be assured in emergency alert drill in September
Millions of devices will vibrate and make a siren sound for around 10 seconds as they receive the text of fewer than 100 words at around 3pm on September 7. It will assure the public that they 'do not need to take any action' and include a message in both English and Welsh. The Government has been carrying out a public awareness campaign to ensure people know when the test is taking place, including those facing domestic abuse who may have hidden phones. On Monday, the Cabinet Office said the text message will include both English and Welsh and be sent to mobile phones on 4G and 5G networks in the UK. It will read: 'This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK government service that will warn you if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby. 'You do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. 'Find simple and effective advice on how to prepare for emergencies at 'Visit for more information or to view this message in Welsh. Ewch i am ragor o wybodaeth neu i weld y neges hon yn y Gymraeg.' Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said: 'Just like the fire alarm in your house, it's important we test this system so that we know it will work if we need it. 'The alerts have the potential to save lives.' Since the first national test of the system in April 2023, five alerts have been sent, including during major storms such as Storm Eowyn in January when lives were at risk. Other activations took place when an unexploded Second World War bomb was discovered in Plymouth, as well as during flash floods in Cumbria and Leicestershire. Some MPs have called on ministers to use different modes of communication for the alert in order to ensure it reaches people who do not have access to a phone. Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokeswoman Sarah Olney has suggested the Government follows Scandinavian examples where the public have been handed pamphlets about preparing for emergencies.
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Public to be assured in emergency alert drill in September
Millions of devices will vibrate and make a siren sound for around 10 seconds as they receive the text of fewer than 100 words at around 3pm on September 7. It will assure the public that they 'do not need to take any action' and include a message in both English and Welsh. The Government has been carrying out a public awareness campaign to ensure people know when the test is taking place, including those facing domestic abuse who may have hidden phones. On Monday, the Cabinet Office said the text message will include both English and Welsh and be sent to mobile phones on 4G and 5G networks in the UK. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden (Ryan Jenkinson/PA) It will read: 'This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK government service that will warn you if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby. 'You do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. 'Find simple and effective advice on how to prepare for emergencies at 'Visit for more information or to view this message in Welsh. Ewch i am ragor o wybodaeth neu i weld y neges hon yn y Gymraeg.' Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said: 'Just like the fire alarm in your house, it's important we test this system so that we know it will work if we need it. 'The alerts have the potential to save lives.' Since the first national test of the system in April 2023, five alerts have been sent, including during major storms such as Storm Eowyn in January when lives were at risk. Other activations took place when an unexploded Second World War bomb was discovered in Plymouth, as well as during flash floods in Cumbria and Leicestershire. Some MPs have called on ministers to use different modes of communication for the alert in order to ensure it reaches people who do not have access to a phone. Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokeswoman Sarah Olney has suggested the Government follows Scandinavian examples where the public have been handed pamphlets about preparing for emergencies.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Don't expect a Sunday afternoon slumber! Millions of Brits' phones to buzz as Government announces new test of UK's emergency alert system
Anyone enjoying a Sunday afternoon slumber on 7 September is set to be woken by the latest national test of the UK's emergency alert system. Millions of Brits' phones will vibrate and make a siren sound for around 10 seconds as they receive a text of fewer than 100 words at around 3pm on the day. It will assure the public that they 'do not need to take any action' and include a message in both English and Welsh. The Government has been carrying out a public awareness campaign to ensure people know when the test is taking place, including those facing domestic abuse who may have hidden phones. The Cabinet Office said the text message will be sent to mobile phones on 4G and 5G networks in the UK. It will read: 'This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK government service that will warn you if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby. 'You do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. 'Find simple and effective advice on how to prepare for emergencies at 'Visit for more information or to view this message in Welsh. Ewch i am ragor o wybodaeth neu i weld y neges hon yn y Gymraeg.' Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said: 'Just like the fire alarm in your house, it's important we test this system so that we know it will work if we need it. The alerts have the potential to save lives.' Since the first national test of the system in April 2023, five alerts have been sent, including during major storms such as Storm Eowyn in January when lives were at risk. Other activations have took place when an unexploded Second World War bomb was discovered in Plymouth, as well as during flash floods in Cumbria and Leicestershire. Some MPs have called on ministers to use different modes of communication for the alert in order to ensure it reaches people who do not have access to a phone. Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokeswoman Sarah Olney has suggested the Government follows Scandinavian examples where the public have been handed pamphlets about preparing for emergencies.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
What to expect from emergency drill in September as public urged to 'get ready'
This exercise will be the second nationwide trial of the system which was launched in 2023 Millions of phones across the country pinging with the same urgent message at the same time may sound like a scene from Armageddon or The Day After Tomorrow. But that is what will happen in just over a month's time. The circumstances and context of the message will not be apocalyptic in the slightest - so don't worry - but the public are being urged to get ready for the drill, which will be rolled out in early September. Mobile phones throughout the UK will trigger a prominent, inescapable siren as part of a national test of the UK Government's emergency alert system. And now, the message that will be sent to phones across the country, which is a rehearsal measure for genuine emergencies, has been published in advance as the government seeks to ready people for the alert. Millions of devices will vibrate and make a siren sound for around 10 seconds - even if the phone is on silent - as they receive the text of fewer than 100 words at around 3pm on Sunday, September 7. It will assure the public that they "do not need to take any action" and include a message in both English and Welsh. The government has been carrying out a public awareness campaign to ensure people know when the test is taking place, including those facing domestic abuse who may have hidden phones. On Monday, the Cabinet Office said the text message be sent to mobile phones on 4G and 5G networks in the UK. It will read: "This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK government service that will warn you if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby. "You do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. Find simple and effective advice on how to prepare for emergencies at "Visit for more information or to view this message in Welsh. Ewch i am ragor o wybodaeth neu i weld y neges hon yn y Gymraeg." Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said: "Just like the fire alarm in your house, it's important we test this system so that we know it will work if we need it. The alerts have the potential to save lives." This exercise will be the second nationwide trial of the system, which was launched in 2023, and has been activated five times since then to inform people of extreme weather conditions and other serious incidents. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Although the alerts are recommended for all, individuals can opt-out, especially those who might be at risk from a sudden alert. Campaigners have raised concerns about the potential danger of the siren exposing individuals with concealed phones to abusive partners, for example. Well, how you opt out depends on what phone you have. The Record has provided a step-by-step guide on how to deactivate the emergency alert on your phone, no matter if it's Android or Apple.
