Cuts: Let’s see a full report

In fact, it has so far been a remarkable success. That the majority of States

departments have been persuaded or compelled to cut their cloth – in the face of the dismal failure of previous efforts of years gone by – should be recognised as a substantial achievement.

The initial furore about school milk and the cynical initial offerings by the Health department designed to raise public opinion against the cuts were quickly replaced by a welcome maturity and responsibility in tackling out-of-control spending.

When the dust has settled, ministers should publish a full, simple and transparent report on the cuts and where they have fallen. That might go some way to clearing the confusion caused by the decision to reduce some department’s cuts and to replace them with £14m savings in workers’ terms and conditions across the board (about which, it should be added, much has been said but little seen).

That report would show that ministers have been able to push departments

further than ever before in producing a modern and effective public sector, with the provision of an initial restructuring budget helping to achieve longer ongoing savings.

Such a report would also help to ensure that ministers’ minds – and the minds of States Members generally – are applied to keeping costs down as far as possible, an important aim given that taxpayers are increasingly hard-pressed and rightly demanding better value for money.

There will inevitably and rightly be within the new ministerial three-year spending plan due next month some provision for increased funding in existing and new areas, with particular emphasis on spending on health and education likely over the next few years.

It is important that extra money is found for services where it is needed – but it is also important that it is not simply used to ‘undo’ the effects of the CSR cuts.

The aim of keeping States spending – and therefore, our taxes – to within reasonable levels is a laudable one. But it is one that should be in politicians’ minds all the time, and not just in a sudden burst to

balance the books.