British finance minister Rachel Reeves is eyeing spending cuts for government officials who work in departments to the value of around 1.5 billion pounds (US$1.94 billion) a year by 2028-29, The Times newspaper reported on Saturday.
Reeves will likely announce belt-tightening measures to get back on track to meet her fiscal rules next Wednesday when she delivers a half-yearly budget update speech alongside fresh economic and public finance forecasts from Britain’s fiscal watchdog.
She is expected to reduce the administration budgets for the civil service by 10 percent, saving around 1.5 billion pounds a year by the end of parliament, The Times said.
The move could put thousands of jobs at risk and covers back office jobs, including in communications and policy, and human resources, but will likely exclude frontline service roles such as the border force and prisons. (Reuters)
