Many areas of the public sector are essential to our security – not just the armed forces

The government has told journalists that it will pay for its recently announced increase in defence spending to 2.5% of GDP through cutting civil servants.

The numbers however don’t add up and it is likely that further cuts will eventually have to be announced to pay for the rise, though that will probably not be detailed until a post-election spending review.

Mike Clancy, General Secretary of Prospect, said:

“Many areas of the civil service are already at breaking point and further cuts will make it impossible for them to fulfil their duties.

“The main drivers of increased headcount in recent years have been the additional workload from taking on functions previously performed at European level, and the acute pressure on frontline service delivery in areas like the Prison Service. Meanwhile many agencies that are less well known but critical to the UK’s security, safety and prosperity are severely short-staffed and struggling to recruit or retain the specialist skills they need.

“Even ignoring other essential services, non-military personnel in the MoD are vital for the armed forces to function.

“It’s no use having war-ready armed forces if the rest of the public sector is falling down around our ears.”