Overview

• Sue Gray, now Baroness Gray, used her first speech in the House of Lords to caution against Labour's planned Civil Service cuts and derogatory language targeting public servants.
• She highlighted the critical role civil servants play in achieving the government's economic and social goals, urging leaders to support a 'progressive Civil Service.'
• Gray criticized terms like 'blobs' and 'chainsaws,' stating that such language harms morale and undermines the respect civil servants deserve.
• Her remarks follow Labour's announcement of a 15% reduction in Civil Service running costs by 2030, which unions warn could result in 50,000 job losses and deteriorating public services.
• Reflecting on her career, Gray shared personal anecdotes, including her early Civil Service roles, family tragedies, and her time running a pub in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.