The
GMB union has welcomed the chancellor Gordon Brown’s plan to spend more on
health and education, but has expressed concern over the proposed job cuts.
General
secretary Kevin Curran said: "We again welcome the Government’s commitment
to extra spending in health and education. But we are alarmed to learn of the
chancellor’s plans to cut well over 80,000 jobs from the Civil Service. Cuts on
this scale are likely to have an impact on frontline public services. That is
something we would oppose.
"Significant
new spending on defence will help to protect vital manufacturing jobs in the
UK’s heartlands. However, we are disappointed that the review could not offer
more to create new jobs in industry."
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GMB
deputy general secretary Debbie Coulter said: "It is encouraging to see
Labour continuing to help the elderly and the very young. We particularly
welcome the increase in childcare places and the support being offered to
two-year-olds, which will help the families of many of our members and those
returning to work."