The reality of UK government cuts

[Rum]

A lot of us in the public sector in the UK have been waiting for our local plans to come out which are designed to help the various services and systems work in some way or another in a climate of massive cuts. £50 million in the case of my 'local authority' as we call them here. (Sort of a cross between a state and a county in the USA).

Ours came out today based on the county council having to cut 600 jobs to make the savings. My bit of the council - Children's Services has taken a disproportionately larger cut because we have been 'protected' in the past.

So we are looking at something like 60 jobs going in a staffing group of perhaps three hundred.

We can't deliver what we used to on that and so the plans which was issued today sets out a reorganised structure which is designed to deliver the bare minimum.

Although there is a consultation period and I see at least one statutory (i.e. legally required) function missing which I currently have responsibility for, as things stand my job goes.

In my case I will be one of the lucky ones. I got flexible retirement a couple of months ago and have been working half time and getting a proportion of my pension. As I understand it if I am made redundant I would get the pension I would have at aged 65.

A lot of people though will be on job seekers allowance.

The Tory bastards.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

Sorry to hear that, Rum - on a lot of levels.

[Clinton Huxley]

Sorry to hear that, Rum. It's a scenario that will be replicated up and down the country.

Seconded: Tory bastards.

[Coito ergo sum]

Sorry to hear that Rum. Go out and get a pint or 12, then pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get on with life! You'll be fine. There's a fine line between adversity and opportunity.

[Millefleur]

My dad has several friends who work for the council in Childrens Services - they've been told they will all need to reapply in January but there will be one less job available. Somebody will have a shitty start to 2011

[Santa_Claus]

I recall an earlier post saying that you now work part time for pretty much most of your former salary.

Multiply that thinking a squillion times and you understand where the money went - essentially pissed up against a wall. Poor Management has always been the real "British Disease".

And not a personal attack - if you were offered a sweet deal would be a idiot not to take it.


...and most of the bad financial stuff has not even hit the fan yet. We're in the "Phoney Recession".

[Pensioner]

I recall an earlier post saying that you now work part time for pretty much most of your former salary.

Multiply that thinking a squillion times and you understand where the money went - essentially pissed up against a wall. Poor Management has always been the real "British Disease".

And not a personal attack - if you were offered a sweet deal would be a idiot not to take it.


...and most of the bad financial stuff has not even hit the fan yet. We're in the "Phoney Recession".

Fucking hell you are charmer and you are talking bollocks. How about you attack the bankers who got us in this shit in the first place instead of teaching assistants who are loosing their jobs at our local school. Meals on wheels are being cut, support for pensioners and the poor are being hit in York. Like Rum our council is cutting 600 jobs, jobs that make life bearable for a lot of folk.

[Sælir]

I recall an earlier post saying that you now work part time for pretty much most of your former salary.

Multiply that thinking a squillion times and you understand where the money went - essentially pissed up against a wall. Poor Management has always been the real "British Disease".

And not a personal attack - if you were offered a sweet deal would be a idiot not to take it.


...and most of the bad financial stuff has not even hit the fan yet. We're in the "Phoney Recession".

I think you are referring to him saying in one post that he almost got the same money for working half time + his pension. I don´t think he meant that he got the same amount for 50% work as he did for 100%

[stripes4]

I am also being made reduntant next July. As you know, I support deaf children in a special school. As of next summer, they won't be getting that support. I am currently job seeking and in two minds whether to wait for redundancy or not. I a have worked there 7 years so won't be getting a fortune.

[Rum]

I recall an earlier post saying that you now work part time for pretty much most of your former salary.

Multiply that thinking a squillion times and you understand where the money went - essentially pissed up against a wall. Poor Management has always been the real "British Disease".

And not a personal attack - if you were offered a sweet deal would be a idiot not to take it.


...and most of the bad financial stuff has not even hit the fan yet. We're in the "Phoney Recession".

I will resist telling you to stick it where the sun doesn't shine. I worked for 35 years and I draw a pension now based on the savings *I* made during those years. I work 50% of the week now and get half pay plus the pension I am owed because *I* (not the government) put the money away. Its a good deal, based on my long term commitment, their need to keep expertise in the system and my desire to slow down but not cease work. A good deal all round I would suggest.

Unfortunately central government finances seemed to have fucked things up.

You might like to be a little more confident in what you are talking about before posting bollocks.

[stripes4]

Good control, Rum. You are a gentleman for sure x

[GreyICE]

Wow, you think people should take time and learn what they're talking about before spouting off? You ol' farts really don't know how this internet thing works, do ya?

[Rum]

Wow, you think people should take time and learn what they're talking about before spouting off? You ol' farts really don't know how this internet thing works, do ya?

Wot?

[Pensioner]

I recall an earlier post saying that you now work part time for pretty much most of your former salary.

Multiply that thinking a squillion times and you understand where the money went - essentially pissed up against a wall. Poor Management has always been the real "British Disease".

And not a personal attack - if you were offered a sweet deal would be a idiot not to take it.


...and most of the bad financial stuff has not even hit the fan yet. We're in the "Phoney Recession".

I will resist telling you to stick it where the sun doesn't shine. I worked for 35 years and I draw a pension now based on the savings *I* made during those years. I work 50% of the week now and get half pay plus the pension I am owed because *I* (not the government) put the money away. Its a good deal, based on my long term commitment, their need to keep expertise in the system and my desire to slow down but not cease work. A good deal all round I would suggest.

Unfortunately central government finances seemed to have fucked things up.

You might like to be a little more confident in what you are talking about before posting bollocks.

Don't let facts get in the way of other folks bollocks Rum.

[Twoflower]

Im sorry to hear this Rum.
When you start recieveing your pension does this mean we can call you Pensioner II?