Digby Jones - Civil service could have half the staff.

lynzpower

I remember when the Tories thought it would be a great idea to contract out all local authority and hospital cleaning because they believed private contractors would by definition be more efficient...it doesn't seem to have worked out like that, and I think it's had some unintended consequences...mind the superbug

it stands to reason that tendering out is inefficient, as the companies have to turn a profit that clearly the govenment doesnt have to do.

Anyone who has experience of the tendered out version of building maintainence ( yes Mears im talking about you). Mears did a piece of work for us on behalf of a local authority and charged 465 quid to change a washer in a tap which was dripping. think of how many dripping taps someone could fix if they were recieving 465 a WEEK!

The taxpayer has been royally shafted by tendering out.

Sir_Humphrey

I have been in the Civil Service for nearly 7 years, and I have never come across people working paid overtime. Unpaid overtime, yes; paid, no. Just about every department offers flexitime. Certain civil servants such as press officers get paid for unsocial hours, but they are very much a minority.

Sir_Humphrey

lynzpower wrote: »

it stands to reason that tendering out is inefficient, as the companies have to turn a profit that clearly the govenment doesnt have to do.

Every govt department has done this to my knowledge. The one that deals with my building is awful. Most really low paid public sector jobs have been privatised, which needs to be bourne in mind when comparing public and private sector pay.

lynzpower

Sir_Humphrey wrote: »

Every govt department has done this to my knowledge. The one that deals with my building is awful. Most really low paid public sector jobs have been privatised, which needs to be bourne in mind when comparing public and private sector pay.

but this is not just central gov buildings, this is all local gov buildings too- including housing provision!

chewmylegoff

lynzpower wrote: »

but this is not just central gov buildings, this is all local gov buildings too- including housing provision!

not to mention the sale and leaseback of the buildings themselves...

Sir_Humphrey

chewmylegoff wrote: »

not to mention the sale and leaseback of the buildings themselves...

Some govt buildings are actually rented buildings which were never owned by the govt.

Squish_21

Sounds like some of you are jealous of the job security the public sector have! If you do not currently work in the civil service you are just second guessing that half the staff could go when you actually have no idea whatsoever.

chris_spackman

One big question lots are asking is:

When we are all looking at job cuts, pay cuts rsing bills rising council tax those in high office Westminster and Council are still able to live on high wages and big expenses.

When those complain about this and that what about us who have to deal with higher taxes, no pay increases etc.

When we see MP;s claiming stupid amounts of OUR money is there anything which would make us have faith in these people.

Why should we have to put up with the huge amounts of money which are wasted by councils and claimed as expenses by both MP's and those in the council.

I can't see any reason for it.

Why is it that MP's and councils give out nice big pensions when ours have been reduced to nothing.

Out of touch and out of control but the only thing that will put an end to it is a mass non payment of council tax by us all then our voices will be heard. The old gent in the news that was handcuffed and led away to prison for not paying his council tax was shown all around the world. What must they think of this country?

The way things are going it might come to that as they fail to or have selective hearing when we have something to say.

chewmylegoff

Sir_Humphrey wrote: »

Some govt buildings are actually rented buildings which were never owned by the govt.

let's not get started on the awful procurement process for rented buildings, please. it's a friday, don't ruin my weekend.

chris_spackman

Squish_21 wrote: »

Sounds like some of you are jealous of the job security the public sector have! If you do not currently work in the civil service you are just second guessing that half the staff could go when you actually have no idea whatsoever.

I would not say jealous i would say very angry about the money that is wasted. You comment also shows why we have no faith or trust in MP's, councils or civil servants. The thing you should remember is your 'job title'...civil servant where you serve us not us pay you stupid amounts of money and claim expenses like there is no next week.