An admission of inefficiency?

[Workingman]

That is what Osborne's call for cuts of between 25% to 40% to Whitehall budgets looks like.

It is what we paymasters have suspected for many decades and begs the question of why these Whitehall Mandarins get Honours instead of the sack.

When he has done with Whitehall he might also want to look at how local government spends central funds; while preventing them from putting up council taxes to cover any "cuts".

Long overdue.

[Suff]

We know that TB and GB increased civil servants by 500k during their reign. Quick win on unemployment. It was part of the previous election campaign.

Reason why they didn't do it in the last 5 years? Lib Dems.

All you've mentioned is exactly what Maggie did in the 80's. Everyone who was imposed on hated her. The GLC was abolished for refusing to comply and she was branded as a dictator. Of course our man LivingScum came out of it a hero....

I don't think either Cameron or Osborne feel they have the support for that with a working majority of 12. Next election. Or perhaps not when the people think it's all fixed and we can go back to spending money we don't have. Which is what Labour will imply...

[cromwell]

I don't know about Whitehall but in local government one of the factors that decided your pay grade was how many people worked under you. The more you were responsible for, the better your chance of a higher pay grade.

It was an incentive for empire building.

[Workingman]

At the local council offices there are two security guards behind a desk, each with a monitor for the security cameras. If you ask them nicely they will direct you to the only set of doors open to the public.

Inside those doors are two more security guards. They will hold you back until the greeter becomes free, even if you know where you need to go. When you meet the greeter she will take your name and point you to the back of the queue - there is only one. Once there another person will ask about your needs, she will then input the details into a touch screen and out will pop a numbered ticket for you.

Now, even though only five of the eight counter staff have customers you cannot just go to one who is free you have to wait for your number to be called - they are 'specialists' you see. When you get to the counter after your number is called it goes like this:
"How can I help you?"
"Please may I have a renewal form for my bus pass?"
The specialist then goes to the forms cupboard and hands you the form........

If George needs help with his budget cuts I have a few tips for him.