Paul O'Brien APSE Chief Executive said: ''Whilst the public sector may seem a fashionable target for cuts there is a real danger that slashing public expenditure, when the economy is on a fragile road to recovery, would lead to a 'double dip' in a post recession environment.
'The public sector value to the overall health of the economy, particularly local economies needs to be recognised as an integral part of recovery. Far from being a drain on finances, public service investment over the last ten years appears to have paid off with service improvements and value for money gains. Public services can provide a steely local resilience in terms of jobs, skills and anti-poverty strategies.'
Trades Union Congress - TUC