Another day, another case of the Civil Service’s obsession with diversity and inclusion. Over at the Information Commissioner’s Office, which is responsible for information rights and data privacy, that obsession has a price tag…

The around-1,000 staff at the government body are given pay rises within their job “grades” based on how well they adhere to its core “values“. They have this year been changed from “Ambitious; Collaborative and Service-focused” to “Curious; Collaborative; Impactful; and Inclusive“. Staff must now display their devotion to the woke cause to climb up the greasy pole…

To get to Career Band 2 they have to demonstrate that they “promote a culture that values diversity” and “pro-actively role model and promote and inclusive workplace.” A promotion to Band 3 requires that they must “champion diversity in practical ways”, “take a keen interest in expanding knowledge of inclusion” and “focus on achieving a wider equality, inclusion and diversity goals [sic] rather than individual tasks.” Whatever any of that means…

Guido hears staff at the ICO are concerned these new word soup-based requirements are another way for pay rises to be kept to a minimum, by claiming that diversity goals haven’t been met. The body is currently in the middle of a 12-month pay freeze, after all. Taking woke cynicism to new lows…

The ICO tells Guido: “We have nothing to add.“ Better get brushed up on your wokespeak, folks…