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There is an alternative - support our campaign

The launch of a major PCS campaign this autumn will demand that the government stops its attacks on public services and finds a better way to deal with the country’s problems

Huge cuts in public spending over the next few months will destroy our jobs, working conditions and public services.

The government has already announced £6.25 billion of cuts, including £500 million in non-departmental public bodies; a recruitment freeze in the civil service; a moratorium on IT contracts and a freeze on consultants, except where they are authorised by a minister.

Further, draconian measures are expected on 20 October when the government announces its spending review – for which departments have been asked to put forward proposals for up to 40% cuts.

Low paid public sector workers are also facing attacks on their pensions, despite the fact that, excluding the very highest earners, the average civil service pension is just £4,200 a year.

The proposed £11 billion cuts to welfare, a freeze on child benefit and reduced national insurance contributions from employers to fund tax breaks to big business will hit the poorest members of society the hardest.

Our view is that people on low incomes did not cause the current economic crisis and should not be made to pay for it.

There is another way

Defending our jobs, pay, pensions and conditions against these attacks remains our number one priority.

We believe cuts are unnecessary – they will actually plunge the country further into recession – and that there are better, smarter ways to deal with Britain’s current economic problems.

Our first proposal is ‘tax justice’. Each year, more than £120 billion of tax goes uncollected, evaded or avoided by large companies and wealthy individuals. By just collecting the tax that is rightfully ours we could avoid public service cuts. A 'Robin Hood tax' on financial speculation could also raise an additional $400bn globally.

As well as bringing in a fairer tax system, we believe the government should be creating jobs to boost employment and tax revenue, not cutting them.

Cuts will damage the economy. By cutting public sector jobs, unemployment will increase – increasing the costs to the government – and lower consumer spending will mean fewer transactions and less tax revenue through VAT. It will also result in the private sector cutting back because there is less demand.

We are also calling for a drive to cut waste and government spending on civil service consultants – both of which cost us millions of pounds each year.

Our priorities 

Our national executive has agreed a campaign to persuade the government to rethink its proposals and focus on finding alternatives to public sector cuts.

Our priorities are: to encourage local PCS branches to build links with other unions, community groups and welfare organisations; organise members’ meetings across the country to seek views and keep people informed and a week of action to co-incide with the spending review on 20 October.

All of this underpins our ongoing talks with ministers to try to find a negotiated alternative to cuts.

If the government refuses to rethink its proposals we will not rule out a ballot of PCS members for national industrial action.

Our general secretary Mark Serwotka is urging every PCS member to get involved in the campaign: “This is going to be the fight of our lives. It is vital we all do everything we can to persuade the government to think again.

“Cutting jobs and services will plunge millions of people into poverty and cause enormous damage to our living conditions and the services our members provide. Our message is that the government cannot cut its way out of the recession. We should be creating jobs, not forcing thousands of workers onto benefits.

“I would urge every PCS member to get involved and to encourage your colleagues to do the same.”

We can make a difference 

This autumn we will be working harder than ever to:

  • Present the government with a clear, viable alternatives to public spending cuts
  • Build links with local union branches, campaigning and community groups to ensure we highlight the growing backlash against attacks on our jobs and public services
  • Secure support for our campaign at this month’s Trades Union Congress to ensure build the maximum solidarity across the union movement
  • Continue talks with the government to reach

Show your support

To make a difference, we need every PCS member to get involved and support the campaign. There are lots of ways you can do this:

  • Lobby your MP to campaign against the cuts and support early day motion 301. Read our 'how to...' guide and let us know their response
  • Contact your local rep about events in your region – including local members’ meetings – and find out how to get involved
  • Keep up to date with information on the proposed cuts on this site
  • Recruit non-PCS colleagues into the union - find out why it's so vital to be part of our union.