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Public sector cuts - Handle with care, says REC

The REC has responded to today's confirmation that the new Government plans to cut £6 billion from the public sector budget in the coming year by arguing for sustainable reform rather than indiscriminate cuts to staffing and agency budgets. 

The REC's ongoing Public Sector Resourcing campaign makes the case for cuts to be properly thought through and for flexible staffing arrangements to be recognised as a core element of cost-effective resourcing strategies. 

The campaign also highlights the need for new skills and competencies to be bought into public bodies in order to manage the change process. 

Commenting on today's announcement and on the forthcoming Budget, Tom Hadley, the REC’s Director of External Relations said: 

“The need to reduce public expenditure is a given, but knee-jerk cuts would result in an unravelling of front line services and put more stress on our fragile jobs market. Agency budgets will come under pressure but the reality is that temporary and contract workers are not brought in on a whim - they perform crucial frontline roles. Challenging pre-conceived ideas and off-the-peg solutions will play a key role in achieving sustainable reform as well as lasting improvements in productivity and innovation.” 

For more details of the REC’s Public Sector Resourcing campaign, and the Public Sector Summit in London on June 8, visit the website, www.rec.uk.com/resourcing.