Gov Spending Review 20.10.2010

[OwlHoot]

.. No it is not clear that drastic cuts are the best option ...

Depends on the immediate goal, versus longer term.

Obviously the ultimate aim is to get the economy going, but they also have to keep bond holders happy, or no less content than they would be investing elsewhere, or the country really is scuppered.

[Ignis Fatuus]

I wonder how many people have already seen this coming and put serious effort into finding a new job or getting training for something else. It still surprises me when I see an industry or a large company in reorganisation or decline that many people seem to hang on until the bitter end.

couldn't people have seen that this was unsustainable, and get out early and do something else?

Still planning to work in IT, anyone?

EU-India 'free trade agreement' will allow flood of Indian skilled workers into Britain

[AtW]

Those cuts don't sound drastic to me - either it's all in small print or they did not have the balls to do it. It all sounds more like mild.

[swamp]

What is the basis for their expectations?

They have senior roles, and they are good at what they do. Cuts always fall disproportionately on the lower ranks.

[Mich the Tester]

Still planning to work in IT, anyone?

EU-India 'free trade agreement' will allow flood of Indian skilled workers into Britain

Yes, and? That's globalisation; it's the inevitable consequence of the invention of stuff like ships, aeroplanes and telecommunications. You can oppose this kind of deal, but don't pretend that this won't happen sometime anyway. Like it or not there will be immigration and we will face more competition to keep our place in the market. It's not fun, but it's part of doing business. Of course, the work could be moved to India instead.

[OwlHoot]

To reply to Mich: most people aren't proactive.
There are plenty on this forum who will blame the govt/Bob/anyone but themselves for their woes.

and also lots of them have been in their job for years, and stand to lose months or even years of redundancy (although statutory redundancy is pretty stingey compared with what is usually offered in the private sector)

edit: Oops, sorry, noticed a couple of other posters made that point earlier

[MrRobin]

Those cuts don't sound drastic to me - either it's all in small print or they did not have the balls to do it. It all sounds more like mild.

Indeed... I think he's mentioned far more items where he's keeping the spending the same or is even increasing it...??

[gingerjedi]

and also lots of them have been in their job for years, and stand to lose months or even years of redundancy (although statutory redundancy is pretty stingey compared with what is usually offered in the private sector)
edit: Oops, sorry, noticed a couple of other posters made that point earlier

You are kidding?? I was made redundant from a private sector job in 2002, my basic wage was £19k and I walked out with £13k after 12 years service. I know a guy who was made redundant from the MoD (similar wage but admittedly 20 years service) and he walked away with £80k!!

[CheeseSlice]

Where did the cuts go? Georgie is just telling us about spending and investment.
Is he saving the really bad news until the end?

[CheeseSlice]

Ohh, here we go...
<ding. popcorn ready>