Hypocrisy in high places - why is the DUP cutting public service jobs?
01 May 2010
Following the recent controversy about anticipated cuts in public service jobs, Jim Allister has challenged the DUP to compare its orchestrated outrage with what it has actually been doing in office, citing DUP plans to slash staffing levels in the Planning Service by one third.
Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister:-
"Less than a year ago Sammy Wilson said, “in the face of a global economic downturn, it is widely acknowledged Planning Service has a key role to play in supporting the economy of Northern Ireland. Therefore it is essential that we retain the appropriate level of experienced staff to both facilitate economic recovery and support it as it occurs.” (Belfast Telegraph 15/5/09). Now, Edwin Poots, having initially talked about phasing out jobs, is proposing that up to 270 staff, almost a third of all posts, in the Planning Service should be redeployed out of the Service. Where they would go is not specified, adding to the suspicion that 'redeployment' is a mere shibboleth for redundancy.
"I have seen no case of reduced workloads or lack of need for the services provided, nor is there any regard to how an economic upturn would be retarded by a lack of planners, instead it seems Mr Wilson in DFP and Mr Poots in DOE are embarking on a slash and burn approach to important public service jobs, while pretending fury at utterances from others about future austerity.
So, before the DUP rushes to proclaim itself as the guardian of the public service, let them explain why they have put a third of the public jobs in the Planning Service under threat."
