‘Here’s how you can cut the deficit’

08.07.10

UNISON had a message for David Cameron today, in response to his invitation for public service workers to suggest ways of cutting the deficit.

A letter to the prime minister made our ideas quite clear. It said:

"Dear Dave,

"You asked us how we could cut the deficit. We believe you can do this without devastating public services. Here's how:

"Stop cutting vital public services.

"Stop cutting public service jobs.

"Cut bankers' bonuses and bring in a Robin Hood tax.

"Keep services in-house, instead of paying consultants.

"Cut out the privatisation profiteers.

"Thanks for listening,

"From 1.3 million public service workers in UNISON."

General secretary Dave Prentis said: "Our members didn't cause the recession. It wasn't a nurse or a social worker or a teaching assistant that gambled millions on the stock exchange and almost brought the economy down.

"So our members should not have to pay. It's time that those who created the crisis paid for it

"In our alternative budget and here, UNISON has shown how it can be done without making public services workers and our communities suffer."