Unions to oppose deep cuts in public services in UK
14 Sep 2009
Even as the Brown government mulls deep cuts in spending on pubic services leaders of three major unions have issued a grim warning of violent social unrest in UK similar to the 81 riots in Toxteth of 1981.
Both Labour and Tories have admitted that tough decisions will need to be taken about further spending in the context of the critical state of public finances, but according to union chiefs slashing spending would hit recovery leading to widespread civil unrest.
The unions say that unemployment could rocket beyond the four million mark if cuts were made in public services leading to a 'double quick, double dip' recession. The last time such policies were followed it had resulted in a deep north south divide, they say. The policies would hollow out entire areas of the economy, they point out.
Prolonged mass unemployment would not only cause economic damage but would also have terrible social effects, they say. Reducing public sector would be tantamount to an act of 'pure economic masochism' they say.
They point out that rather than the government cutting public spending, it should be tackling the country's ballooning budget deficit caused by the recession and the scrapping of controversial nuclear defence and identity card projects.
They add that money could be saved by further increasing taxes on the wealthy.
