Although I blogged about the good news of the cancellation of the DTR procurement and Metrix’s appointment as Preferred Bidder I couldn’t quite face posting the rest of the dire news that was announced in the spending review. The news has an immediate and far reaching effect on all public sector workers, the people they serve and on local communities.
A fellow blogger Chrissy has expressed it far better than I could:
For those of you reading this who imagine “Civil Servants” to be members of the bowler hat brigade in the corridors of power let me take this opportunity to advise that civil servants fulfil a number of every day roles within your community most of whom you wouldn’t realise until they are gone!….. Civil servants are sitting beside their military colleagues, running citizens advice bureau’s, teaching children, taking away bed pans, cleaning corridors, the Police, the Firemen, Prison Officers, advising the unemployed, the list goes on! I find myself wondering who is going to advise us!
These people are carrying out work for a reasonable wage and have worked under fixed terms and conditions throughout their career, bearing in mind negotiations for a number of years have resulted in a reduction in potential wage increases simply because it was felt that civil servants have such good terms that this should be reflected in the wage expected!…. Now it seems that our employers have no honour and think that they can play with our lives as they see fit!….
Head over to Chrissy’s blog to read the full article and view the illustrative artwork that accompanies the post.
It was a pretty dire week although I am glad that somewhere in the region got some good news because they have been under threat for ages and lets be honest, it doesn’t make for much in the way of motivation! Did you read that article in the Observer yesterday? I thought it was spot on, which can be unusual for the National Press lately!
We have not been inspired for a number of years and this was the final blow. When I got into work this morning the heating had broken down, it always does if there is a cold snap over the weekend because the heating is turned off. The boilers that provide hot water for drinks were also broken down.
And to put the stresses into context, two people in my (now) very small organisation had heart attacks over the weekend. Sadly, one of them didn’t make it, he was only 33. I do wonder if the stress of our situation over the years and the final blow last week was contributory.
Quite dire times coming up, Cherie. Doesn’t bear thinking about.
These dire times have been predictable over the years, it doesn’t make them more palatable.
Ah but the Government “hopes” that the private sector will pick up the slack. Well I’m convinced!
The cuts this government have planned will be a disaster for the those who rely on the services the public services, a disaster for the public servants and a disaster for the economy.
I am not sure if the government hopes or if it doesn’t have a clue or maybe is feathering it’s own nest…
In addition to what I said in the post cutting the public sector will lead to comparative cuts in the private sector. Each relies on the other, if one is compromised so it the other.