Around 400 staff at the Central Office of Information have been sent letters confirming that consultations have opened on compulsory redundancy by March 31, 2012 - the day the COI is set to close – even though plans for the future of government communications are still in a state of flux.Prospect's concerns were aired in a news release sent out today (Monday). Negotiator Julie Flanagan said: "Our members were dismayed to receive these letters when many crucial questions about the future of the services they provide have simply not been answered."

The Cabinet Office is studying a number of proposals (see news release) but there is little information on how the proposals would work. Work has yet to begin with departments, agencies and arms-length bodies on whether they have the capability to deliver the work currently being undertaken by the COI. Work continues to be placed with COI, despite the announcement of its closure.

Flanagan said: "It's a crazy waste of talent - and money - to force people to leave, and end up having to buy in the same services from private companies or recruit a new set of people to do this work. It also runs counter to the government's alleged efficiency agenda."