JERSEY’S biggest union have described the efficiency and spending cuts announced on Tuesday as a lurch towards privatisation wrapped up in government spin.

Transport and General Workers Union head Nick Corbel says that plans to trim £20m in efficiency savings and £12m in service cuts will put pressure on public services where quality is already dropping.

And he labelled efficiency savings as ‘a con’ that will lead to privatisation of services.

‘The public sector workforce is as flexible and efficient as it has ever been.

They provide an excellent service.

‘But the problem is that the more efficiency savings they ask for, the more they want,’ said Mr Corbel.

‘The only conclusion we can come to is that it is inevitable that the intention, through the back door, is to privatise.

The effects of the cuts they have already implemented are there to be seen in respect of service levels which are currently undertaken by the States.

‘Quality is dropping.

There is no doubt about it.’