Spending cuts threaten public sector jobs

Over 180,000 public sector jobs are under threat as a result of the spending cuts, according to an analysis by the GMB general union.

A total of 165,172 public sector jobs are under threat at 297 local councils and authorities, along with a further 18,901 at local NHS bodies and other public bodies, the latest GMB round–up reveals.

In nearly all of these councils and public bodies a 90-day statutory consultation period is under way on how to deal with these job losses. Most councils have given notice that they plan to delete vacant posts and seek volunteers for early retirements and redundancy.

The North West and the West Midlands look set to be hardest hit with 29,812 and 21,758 jobs threatened so far.

Brian Strutton, GMB national secretary for public services, said: “This is no less than a full frontal attack on public service workers in the name of the private sector bankers who caused this recession.”

www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/other_news/184073_jobs_under_threat.aspx