Unite’s reaction to the LGA's prediction of 140,000 council jobs to
be lost next year
25 November 2010
Unite national officer Peter Allenson said: "The coalition's
attack on local authorities is unjustified and now its savagery is
also becoming clear. In a few short weeks since the spending
review, the LGA says that job losses for 2011 have been grossly
underestimated.
"Even communities and local government secretary Eric Pickles is
starting to get cold feet as it dawns on him the devastation his
government is unleashing and he's now desperate for extra treasury
cash to ease the pain.
"But while the chancellor ignores cries to help local
government, the prime minister squanders £2 million on a happiness
index. 140,000 decent jobs will be scrapped next year, cuts
of 40-45 percent in capital expenditure and cuts of 20-25 percent
in revenue and services will hit ordinary people very hard and kill
our communities. Not much happiness there to celebrate.
"This is one occasion where we very much hope that secretary of
state, Eric Pickles is listened to. The coalition must think
again about its plans for local services because this is real
people's lives we are talking about here."
ENDS
Contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315
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