PCS: Victory over forests sell-off but spending axe still hangs

PCS: Victory over forests sell-off but spending axe still hangs

PCS: Victory over forests sell-off but spending axe still hangs

The Public and Commercial Services union has described as “inspirational” the campaign that forced the government to halt its planned privatisation of public forests.

But massive cuts to staff and resources at the Forestry Commission could still mean the aspirations of the public will not be met, the union warns.

Even though the sell-off is now dead in the water, cuts of 25% in Forestry Commission England announced in the 2010 spending review will severely compromise the commission’s ability to retain a decent forestry estate with protected access and services, and to protect biodiversity, wildlife and the environment.

As a result of the spending review, the commission has announced plans to cut 500 jobs in England and Edinburgh.

The union, which represents 950 staff at the Forestry Commission, says it will be impossible to adequately manage publicly-run forests if these cuts are allowed to go through.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka: “The public outcry over the government’s plans to sell off our public forests has been both inspirational and instructive. It is clear how much people value our forests as national assets.

“All this could still be under threat however because of the government’s ideological choice to slash public spending. Simply calling off the consultation will not be enough to protect the kind of forests people rightly want, and the government should also now put a stop to the cuts at the commission.”

ENDS

Notes

– For information and interview requests contact PCS national press officer Richard Simcox on 020 7801 2747 or 07833 978216

– The Public and Commercial Services union represents civil and public servants in central government. It has more than 300,000 members in over 200 departments and agencies, and in parts of government transferred to the private sector. PCS is the UK’s sixth largest union and is affiliated to the TUC. The general secretary is Mark Serwotka and the president is Janice Godrich

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