THE number of new States jobs created last year was nearly 100 and the size of the public sector workforce grew by 20 to 6,394 in the 12 months to the end of 2004.

The figures have been described as ‘atrocious’ by a prominent critic of States spending – but they have also been hailed as evidence that the States are on track to achieve an overall reduction in job numbers of 300 by the end of 2007.

The figures released today also show there were 286 posts vacant at the end of last year and it is expected many will not be filled as the States seeks to cut the size of the public sector.

The growth in job numbers is lower than in previous years but if targets to reduce the overall numbers are to be achieved, there is still a long way to go.

The figures were hailed by Finance and Economics vice-president Senator Philip Ozouf as evidence that efforts to make the public sector more efficient were on track.

He pointed out that the vast majority of new posts created were in the fields of health and education and said the States were proving they were still able to invest in these key fields while reducing the overall numbers of people and jobs.

But the numbers have been condemned by the chairman of the Stateswatch group, Roger Trower.

Mr Trower said: ‘Although I have not yet had an opportunity to see the details my initial reaction is that the growth is atrocious.’