Boris Johnson plans to cut 90,000 civil service jobs to help fund tax cuts
Move to slim down workforce comes during pressure on ministers to act over the cost of living crisis
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The government could cut as many as 90,000 civil service jobs in a cost-saving exercise touted by Boris Johnson, as ministers come under increasing pressure to help ease the cost of living crisis with possible tax cuts.
The prime minister was understood to have told his cabinet on Thursday that the workforce should be cut by a fifth, which a report said would save more than £3bn.
The plan was discussed with cabinet colleagues on Thursday at an away-day in Stoke-on-Trent.
Sources familiar with the conversations said he told ministers to return the civil service to its 2016 levels in the coming years.
Staffing levels have increased since then as the impact of Brexit across government and public life increased the need for civil servants.
But Mr Johnson told the Daily Mail: “We have got to cut the cost of government to reduce the cost of living.”
He said the billions it would reportedly save could be used for tax cuts: “Every pound the government pre-empts from the taxpayer is money they can spend on their own priorities, on their own lives.”
However the move risks igniting a war between the government, civil servants and the unions that represent them.
Last month, Mr Johnson backed Jacob Rees-Mogg‘s policy of leaving ominous notes on the desks of civil servants who work from home.
The government efficiency minister was criticised by unions after it emerged he had left “crass” and “condescending” messages for officials who were not at their desks.
Last year, Mr Johnson established a new No 10 delivery unit designed to override civil servants while attempting to speed up the delivery of flagship policies.
A government spokesperson said: "The PM and ministers are clear that the civil service does an outstanding job delivering for the public and driving progress on the government's priorities.
“But when people and businesses across the country are facing rising costs, the public rightly expect their government to lead by example and run as efficiently as possible.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments