John Swinney has insisted there is "no question" of compulsory redundancies as the Scottish Government prepares to cut public sector jobs and centralise services.
The First Minister announced plans to slash the number of NHS health boards and force quangos to merge, as part of efforts to plug a £5 billion financial blackhole by 2030. He has also suggested reducing the number of councils in Scotland.
Unions warn of 'slash and burn programme'
The proposals have put Swinney on a collision course with trade unions. Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: "The Scottish government has set out a slash and burn programme for the NHS. The proposals will inevitably result in swingeing cuts and thousands of job losses across the public sector. Our members will not be the collateral damage for the Scottish government’s failings."
Swinney claimed the Government would "work very closely" with unions as it plans the changes.
Public sector workforce to fall
When he announced the changes to MSPs on Tuesday, the First Minister described them as "the most radical reshaping of public services" in Holyrood’s history. Speaking on Wednesday, he insisted the country needs to not only "change the way in which we deliver public services to make sure they are sustainable", but also reduce the public sector workforce.
The SNP leader said: "I have said that for all the time I have been First Minister there will be a need for public sector employment to fall." He admitted "it is likely over the next few years that there will be a reduction in public sector employment", but refused to estimate how many jobs could go, saying he was not going to "put particular numbers on this".
No compulsory redundancy commitment
Swinney insisted ministers would "work collaboratively" with unions as the country moves "toward the two-board approach". He vowed: "I’ll maintain the no compulsory redundancy commitment." This, he said, was an "essential part of how you provide reform" because of the assurance it gives to staff.
He added: "We have got to make sure is that we work with the trade unions to undertake a reform programme. That will mean a reduction in public sector employment and that is part of what we have face up to as we adapt the health service to meet the needs of the population."
NHS to take control of social care
The changes would also give the NHS greater control over social care, which is currently the responsibility of Scotland’s councils. Swinney said giving the health service "the levers of control" would help cut the number of Scots kept in hospital waiting for care packages. He stated: "That is what is blocking up all our hospitals."
While the SNP leader said Scotland should have "fewer" councils than the 32 that currently operate, he refused to say how many authorities there should be. He insisted he wanted to "engage with local government" on the issue, adding: "I think at the strategic level I think there should be fewer." His approach, he said, was about "having a range of larger councils in Scotland, that are strategic in their nature, able to undertake some of the very sophisticated challenges we deal with in local authorities".
