Government confusion but education, health cuts

Government confusion but more cuts to education and health confirmed

National is planning to cut hundreds more public service jobs this year and is targeting the health and education sectors, Cabinet Papers just released under the Official Information Act reveal.

However there is confusion in the Government’s state sector policy with the papers released containing conflicting figures for total job losses.

“National is continuing its approach of making indiscriminate cuts to public services. They have already broken their pre-election promise to cap but not cut the public service with 1,480 positions cut in 2009,” Labour’s State Services spokesperson Grant Robertson said today.

“Health, Education and Inland Revenue will bear the brunt of further cuts this year according to the papers.

“These cuts are going to lead to poorer services for ordinary New Zealanders. The Government has already signalled major changes to the tax system in this year’s Budget. How does it make sense to make further cuts to Inland Revenue at this time?

“We already know the cuts in the health sector will mean doctors and nurses will spend less time with patients and more time filling in forms, yet National seems determined to cut what they call backroom staff who actually make the system work.

“There is confusion in the Cabinet paper that has been released. While the text indicates a total of 460 positions will go by the end of 2010, the tables giving details of positions have a different total (34 positions lost). It seems that the Minister forgot to factor in those departments that are planning to add staff this year, along with those that are cutting staff. This is what you get for indulging in PR spin and playing with numbers.

“In any case it’s core public services such as health and education that are going to suffer the cuts. It is by no means the end for cuts to services either. Bill English has already signalled that $1.8 billion over four years will be cut in this year’s Budget. This will lead to the end of more programmes and more job losses.

“National does not have a plan for developing 21st century public services. Of course the public service needs to adapt and change, but this needs to be done by working with communities, businesses and public servants themselves rather than cutting services and staff.

“Sadly National is more interested in trying to put out numbers to make themselves look good. In the meantime the quality of services for New Zealanders is being put at risk.”

ENDS