NEWS RELEASE
STUC welcomes chancellor's commitment to borrow to continue to invest in public services and research and development.
Bill Speirs General Secretary said:
"We welcome the commitment to maintain sensible levels of public borrowing to fund investment in vital public services and research and development.
"We also support the decision to relocate civil service jobs to Scotland and throughout the UK. Full consultation and no compulsory redundancies must be a precondition of any such move.
"We share the Chancellor's commitment to the importance of early years' education. We look to the Scottish Executive and COSLA to show similar judgment and act to ensure a fair, national settlement for the Nursery Nurses who play such a key role in the future life chances of our children.
"We are concerned at the proposed cuts in civil service jobs. At first sight these workers may appear easy targets, but it is hard to understand how slashing 10,500 jobs in the new Customs and Excise/Inland Revenue Department will help block illegal drug imports, detect terrorists or cut down on fat-cat tax evaders. There seems to be a lack of joined up thinking here.
"We are also concerned at the proposed tax stamps on the whisky industry and will look carefully at the assistance which is being offered to the industry to ensure that jobs are not lost through this new measure.
"Finally, but of great importance, the apparent commitment to remove `unnecessary regulation' will give rise to concern from workers in the chemicals, construction and retail industries. We will be seeking early assurances that health and safety will not be adversely affected by these proposals."
ENDS
For further details:
Bill Speirs David Moxham Stephen Boyd