Swansea public sector employees going to pay for Labour’s economic failures
Swansea could lose up to 2,300 public sector jobs over the next 5 years, research by the ‘Centre for Cities’ has revealed.
The report finds that cities like Swansea, Newcastle and Ipswich are heavily dependent on the public sector for jobs - and cities must plan now for reduced public spending from 2011.
Dr. Lloyd has stated his dismay that key public service employees will pay the price for the economic failures of the Labour Westminster Government.
Plaid’s Social Justice Spokesperson Dr. Dai Lloyd today stated:
“This independent report by the ‘Centre for Cities’ is very worrying indeed. We know that Swansea has a high percentage of public sector jobs and that comes as no surprise particularly when you consider the major employers that we have in the area, including the DVLA, two large hospitals in Morriston and Singleton, the two Universities, Colleges and Local Authority to name a few.
“Swansea always has, and always will play a major role as the regional capital of South West Wales, and this in part explains the relatively high percentage of public sector jobs. This is not to be criticised. In one way it is a reflection of the city’s regional importance.
“However the projected 2,300 job losses in Swansea over the next 5 years are something that the UK Labour Government has to take responsibility for. In stark terms, the people of Swansea and similar cities deserve an apology from this UK Government.
“Its poor handling of the economy and financial sector over recent years, resulting in £200b of UK National Debt, means that public sector cuts are inevitable.
“This is in stark contrast to other countries around the globe where regulation of the financial sector has been much more stringent, and where they have not had to bail out the banks to the same extent.
“The stark reality is that employees in Swansea providing key public services pay the price for Labour’s mismanagement of the economy. This means that those losing their jobs will suffer direct pain, while the rest of us will suffer due to a reduction in the level and possible quality from a stretched public sector.”
