Departmental cuts unrealistic

News from the FDA The union of choice for senior managers and professionals in public service 15 July 2003 [For immediate use] Departmental cuts unrealistic The FDA today said it was sceptical about suggestions from the Liberal Democrats that the number of government departments could be cut to provide more money for frontline public services. FDA general secretary Jonathan Baume said: "This is not a new approach from opposition parties, but once in government the complexities of running public services becomes rather more apparent. "The challenge for the Liberal Democrats will be to explain exactly what functions they propose to abolish to make these savings. It is a fact that the overwhelming majority of civil servants are already based locally - delivering services to communities in job centres and tax offices, for example. It is only a small minority of civil servants who work in the 'Whitehall' that these cuts are meant to come from". Ends Notes for Editors 1. The FDA is the trade union and professional body representing the UK's 11,000 senior civil and public servants. Our members include policy advisors, senior managers, tax inspectors, economists, statisticians, accountants, special advisers, government lawyers, crown prosecutors and NHS managers. 2. For further information contact: Jonathan Baume (general secretary) on 020 7343 1111 or 07967 951191 (mobile). Simon Moore (chief press officer) on 020-7343-1111 or 07967 484441 (mobile).