Emergency Motion 7
Civil Service Jobs
“That this Congress condemns the announcement of 15% cuts in the civil service administration budget in the UK Government’s Spring Statement, with the Chancellor stating that this may mean the loss of up to 10,000 jobs; and further condemns announcements of job cuts and office closures in civil service departments before and since then.
“Congress believes that you cannot cut your way to growth, and the civil service should be a gold standard employer on pay and terms & conditions.
“Congress agrees that those cuts risk damaging public services. The public is already telling us that they wait hours to get through on helplines for tax payments or to claim benefits; and there’s a huge backlog in asylum claims still, resulting in large hotel costs. We need more dedicated civil servants not fewer.
“Congress is absolutely clear that there are savings to be made from reducing spending on consultancy, and by ending profiteering on outsourced contracts. This Government promised “the biggest wave of insourcing in a generation” – and we expect to see that happen.
“Congress further believes that extending hybrid working and removing current caps, can produce savings for the employer (on office building costs) and for workers (on commuting costs).
“Congress further notes that inflation is currently 2.8% but is forecast by the Bank of England to rise to 3.7% - and that trade unionists are feeling the pinch from rising water and energy bills, rail and bus fares, housing costs, and council tax hikes.
“Congress calls on both the UK and Scottish Governments to ensure that pay meets the rising cost of living.
“Congress instructs the STUC General Council to lobby the UK and Scottish Governments to:
- Permanently commit to no compulsory redundancies
- Invest in public services and the dedicated staff who run them
- Reduce consultancy spending
- End outsourcing”
Mover: Public and Commercial Services Union
RSS