Sue Gray Warns Against Civil Service Cuts and Demeaning Language in Lords Debut

In her maiden speech, the former Starmer aide emphasized the importance of civil servants to national progress and called for respect and caution in reform efforts.

• 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.

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