Public sector morale ebbs amidst cuts anxiety
By politics.co.uk staff
Public sector workers are anxious and pessimistic about the impending comprehensive spending review (CSR), according to a survey.
The recruitment consultants Badenoch & Clark conducted the survey, which suggested a third of workers in central government are expecting redundancies.
In a strong indication that the details of the CSR are being held very close to the government’s chest until the chancellor’s announcement on Wednesday, 22% of public sector workers had “no idea” what to expect from George Osborne’s statement.
Nonetheless, the survey also showed that not all public sector workers oppose the coming cuts – 40% of respondents expected the cuts could actually improve departmental running.
The general impression is, however, one of uncertainty, with morale expected to dip following the announcement. Sixteen per cent believed that even in the absence of job losses, morale would suffer, while a further 23% claimed their departments would be under-resourced.
Nicola Linkleter, Badenoch & Clark’s managing director of public sector, said: “The comprehensive spending review has been looming for a number of months, with considerable speculation regarding the impact on jobs.
“It is, therefore, little wonder that there is a huge amount of trepidation within the sector. It is clear that many feel that, due to recruitment freezes, they are already under resourced and this is only going to get worse.
“However, it is positive that many in the sector recognise that the cuts could in fact lead to more effective working practices and opportunities for some to up-skill or re-train.”
The government is hoping that the impact of job losses will be temporary with a strong private sector recovery.
Business leaders have endorsed the government’s plans today, arguing that any delay in cuts will be far more damaging to recovery.
Ms Linkleter however remained sceptical, arguing that “only time will tell”.
