PCS: Under-threat workers to lobby their MPs over cuts

Tuesday, 8 February 2011 12:00 AM

Hundreds of staff from under-threat government agencies are expected to descend on Westminster tomorrow (9 Feb) to put pressure on their MPs over the coalition's highly-criticised plan to cut so called 'quangos'.

Members of the Public and Commercial Services union will join colleagues from other public sector unions at a rally that will be addressed by PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka.

They will then lobby their MPs to highlight the important work they do and how the government's plan to abolish, merge, privatise or drastically alter scores of non-departmental public bodies will make the agencies less effective and less accountable.

Last month the Commons public administration select committee criticised the public bodies bill

- which is currently going through parliament and includes the proposal to sell-off publicly owned forests

- saying it was being rushed through and that the plan would neither save money nor improve accountability.

There will be a photo opportunity at the protest tomorrow at 12.30pm on Old Palace Yard opposite the House of Lords.

Mark Serwotka said: "The arguments against the government's ill-thought through attempt to abolish scores of public bodies are overwhelming and the plan should be scrapped, with the full roles and economic benefits of these organisations properly assessed and consulted on.

"Despite scathing criticism from an influential Commons committee, the government appears intent on carrying on regardless. A move that betrays the ideology behind the bill, which is nothing more than a transparent attempt to blame and punish public sector workers for an economic crisis caused by speculation and greed in the financial sector."

ENDS

Notes

- For information and interview requests contact PCS national press officer Richard Simcox on 020 7801 2747 or 07833 978216

- The Public and Commercial Services union represents civil and public servants in central government. It has more than 300,000 members in over 200 departments and agencies, and in parts of government transferred to the private sector. PCS is the UK's sixth largest union and is affiliated to the TUC. The general secretary is Mark Serwotka and the president is Janice Godrich

- Follow PCS on Twitter

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