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Coalition's ‘Genghis Khan’ policies will destroy communities in the UK's heartlands, says Unite

9 September 2010

The coalition must stop its destructive Genghis Khan style cuts to public services, especially as it offers no alternative job creation strategy, Unite, the largest union in the country, said today (Thursday, 9 September).

Unite was responding to BBC-commissioned research which said that towns such as Middlesbrough, Mansfield, and Stoke-on-Trent would be hardest hit by the forthcoming public sector cuts, due to be announced in next month’s comprehensive spending review.

Unite joint general secretary, Tony Woodley, said: ”The coalition’s economic policies are akin to those of Genghis Khan who swept through Central Asia destroying cities and communities, without leaving any positive legacy.

”It is clear from the deputy prime minister Nick Clegg’s interview today on the Today programme that there is no plan to create jobs, once the public sector cuts have wreaked havoc on the communities in the North East and Midlands. 

”It is simply not good enough to expect the private sector, itself in recession, to provide employment, particularly on the day when a major manufacturer, BAE Systems announced it is to cut nearly 1,000 jobs.

”This will be the third hit in a generation for many of our northern towns - first manufacturing, then finance and now public service jobs will be stripped from them. Our towns are being betrayed by a government determined to push on with its senseless policies – that many economists think are deeply flawed. 

”Unite is working flat-out on the ground to prevent job and service cuts across the UK – we will now be redoubling our efforts.”

Unite has warned that unwarranted public sector cuts of between 25 and 40 per cent will rip into the social cohesion and economic well-being of the nation. At TUC Congress next week, Unite will be pushing for an urgent and credible strategy to rebuild UK manufacturing and stimulate growth.

ENDS

For further information, please ring Shaun Noble on 07769 693940