Northern Ireland public sector jobs

Union anger that 6,000 public sector jobs are to be cut in Northern Ireland has been further inflamed at news that this figure could substantially rise in order to pay for a reduction in Corporation Tax to business.

A leaked memo, a copy of which was obtained by the Belfast Telegraph, reveals that the Democratic Unionist Party has proposed saving another £400 million in public service wages each year in order to meet the cost of Corporation Tax. The paper said this could equate to more than 10,000 public sector jobs being shed over a three- to four-year period.

The parties of the Northern Ireland Executive are keen to see Corporation Tax drop from the current 20% to 12.5%, making it the same as in the Irish Republic, in the hope that this will attract businesses to Northern Ireland.

Bumper Graham, assistant general secretary of NIPSA, Northern Ireland’s public sector union, said that all this would achieve would be some indications from people that they may be interested in bringing jobs to Northern Ireland. He has predicted industrial action.

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/union-chief-threatens-serious-strikes-over-northern-ireland-public-sector-cuts-30715357.html

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/debateni/blogs/corporation-tax-cut-not-the-answer-30724846.html