UNIONS URGED TO JOIN FIGHT AGAINST BILLION BUDGET CUTS.

UNIONS URGED TO JOIN FIGHT AGAINST BILLION BUDGET CUTS. Commenting before a lobby of Parliament by trade unionists today (Tuesday) SNP MSP Christina McKelvie urged them to join Welsh trade unionists in the fight against the upcoming billion of cuts to Scotland’s public spending. In Wales trade union leaders have made a call for a united front against the proposed cuts – starting in 2010/11 - as they effect the Welsh Assembly and public spending in Wales. Unison’s Welsh Secretary Paul O’Shea has already argued against cutting public spending during the recession after the Welsh Labour Finance Minister confirmed he expected cuts of £500 million to the Welsh budget. And the leader of the PCSU has called for a “united front with politicians in Wales and unions to argue in Westminster that the cuts should not be made” saying it is a matter of “political priorities and political will.” With cuts of £500 million expected to the Welsh budget it is possible cuts in Scotland could be higher. Commenting Ms McKelvie – a former union shop steward – said: “The SNP Government is firmly opposed to Gordon Brown’s billion pound budget bombshell and the negative effect it will have on public spending in Scotland. "The Scottish Government has been absolutely clear in saying that the third sector are crucial partners in delivering a more successful Scotland . "Funding for the third sector has increased by 37% under the Scottish Government and a Third Sector Task Group has been set up to look at the wide range of issues concerning the third sector. Across the UK in other devolved administrations trade unions and the third sector are aware that upcoming funding cuts from Westminster could have a serious effect on future budgets. “Westminster cutting Scottish spending in the middle of a recession is simply the wrong action to take and even the Welsh Labour party recognise this. “The support of trade unions in Wales will add strength to this fight and as Scottish trade unions visit Parliament today I would urge them not to wait until the cuts come in – but to speak up now and to join with the SNP in opposing this drastic attack on Scotland’s public services. “If the government in London goes ahead with these cuts it will be Scotland’s public services paying the price for Brown’s mismanagement of the UK economy."