A union leader has raised concerns about potential harm to national security resulting from reductions in government vetting teams.
Over 100 positions are expected to be cut at UK Security Vetting (UKSV), with a decrease also planned for the team assisting the UK’s emergency Cobra committee. These changes are part of broader efforts to streamline the civil service.
The Cabinet Office is looking to trim UKSV to 780 roles from its current level of over 900. Additionally, around 10 employees specializing in chemical, biological, and radiological threats, along with approximately 20 Cobra support staff, are facing potential job losses.
The general secretary of the PCS union, Fran Heathcote, expressed worries that these cuts could jeopardize essential public services and critical government functions essential for national security and emergency readiness.
UKSV is responsible for screening individuals before they assume sensitive positions in the Ministry of Defence, Foreign Office, and for those seeking parliamentary access. While around 110 positions are anticipated to be axed, insiders emphasize that final decisions are pending.
Most of the reductions are expected to occur through voluntary redundancies or by not filling vacant positions. There are plans to redeploy some civil servants to other areas within the government.
Concerns have been raised about the potential impact of these cuts on the effectiveness of UKSV’s operations. In 2023, the National Audit Office criticized UKSV for delays in conducting checks that could impede national security efforts.
In a previous article in Civil Service World, Trish Deghorn, the CEO of UKSV, noted the organization’s turnaround, partially attributed to increased staffing levels. However, a source informed the PA news agency that the Cabinet Office argued that the back-office personnel supporting UKSV’s recovery were no longer necessary, leading to proposed staff reductions.
The cuts to Cobra come after a merger of Cabinet Office units handling crisis response and resilience, according to the source. The union leader, Ms. Heathcote, cautioned that officials had not adequately differentiated between back-office and frontline positions.
She affirmed the union’s commitment to opposing these detrimental cuts, vowing to safeguard members’ job security and their crucial role in maintaining the country’s safety and efficiency.
A Government spokesperson stated that they do not typically comment on national security staffing matters. The broader objective is to enhance the department’s strategic focus, expertise, and efficiency to better serve the public and implement the reform agenda.
Alex Burghart, the Tory shadow chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, criticized the Government for reducing investments in national security and emergency preparedness, describing it as incredulous.
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