Dedicated civil service equality jobs face axe, ‘common sense’ minister announces

It is currently 2:16 pm on Monday, May 13, 2024.

The minister in charge of rational thinking has declared that civil service positions that exclusively focus on promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) will be eliminated.

In the Sunday Telegraph, Esther Mcvey cautioned that Whitehall should not morph into a "useless job fabricating initiative for those who conform to politically correct ideals," and contended that taxpayers' money was being squandered.

On Monday, Mcvey, who serves as a minister in the Cabinet Office, revealed the specifics of the scheme during her address at the Centre for Policy Studies.

In her statement, she emphasized that it is imperative for the public to be the top priority in all government activities. Moreover, she urged to end the unacceptable covert interference of politics in the civil service, which hampers the proper allocation of time and resources towards the welfare of citizens.

Individuals desire their elected officials to focus on improving their quality of life rather than constantly debating about abstract ideas.

According to her statement, there will be new directives that will soon be released. These directives will enforce the cessation of all external EDI spending in the civil service, unless it is explicitly approved and authorized by ministers.

The Member of Parliament for Tatton, a constituency in Cheshire, who is affiliated with the Conservative political party, recently declared that there won't be any additional positions dedicated to EDI (equality, diversity, and inclusion) in the central government, with the exception of roles within human resources. Furthermore, there will be no more personnel whose sole responsibility is EDI-related work.

Mcvey stated that she is planning to have meetings with independent organizations that have spent the largest amount on external EDI. She will ask them to clarify how this spending is advantageous for the taxpayers.

Following a review initiated by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in October, examining expenditures on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) programs in the public sector, the Cabinet Office has recently received the findings.

Right-leaning members of the Tory party have been expressing frustration over the expenses associated with EDI. Leading up to the election, it's expected that there will be more talk about cutting back on these policies in order to save taxpayer dollars.

According to PA news agency, the Cabinet Office refused to disclose the number of non-HR personnel within the Civil Service who are exclusively handling EDI tasks.

Nonetheless, the EDI spending of the civil service division will be more regulated and transparent in both external and internal positions, as well as in evaluation standards, according to the department's statement.

It's been noted that EDI positions will be merged with current department HR teams, which implies that these professionals will handle EDI responsibilities among other HR tasks.

According to Joanna Marchong, the campaigns manager for the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA), the government's decision to apply common sense in Whitehall is highly appreciated by taxpayers.

Forming entire teams dedicated to EDI initiatives has turned out to be a catastrophe for the public sector. Instead of improving public services, the sector has wasted enormous sums of money and time on unnecessary self-examination.

"Officials in power must take action against these unnecessary positions in every level of governance, not just limited to the public sector."

According to Pat Mcfadden from the Labour party, who is responsible for overseeing the cabinet office, blaming civil servants for the Conservative party's inability to follow through with their promises will not be enough. Mcfadden pointed out that there are currently over seven million people waiting to receive treatment from the National Health Service, and homeowners are still feeling the effects of the Conservative party's economic failure.

It's better to concentrate on the work at hand instead of trying to find someone else to hold accountable.