General Secretary Philip Parkin said “This destructive Budget is the unacceptable face of coalition and the ‘road to ruin’ for our public services.
“It will seriously diminish the public sector and gives Voice great concern for the future of education. The Chancellor has even acknowledged ‘particular pressures’ on that department. Dedicated teachers, teaching assistants, childcarers and other public sector professionals are being made to pay for the folly, incompetence and greed of politicians and the City.
“Children and adult learners will suffer as services wither and die, courses are cut and buildings crumble. Economic recovery and the long-term prosperity of the country will be damaged by the decline in further and higher education and by the rise in unemployment.
“Support staff and childcarers will suffer from the two-year public sector pay freeze. The flat rate payment of £250 for those earning less than £21,000 will do little except compensate them for the increased expenditure that they will incur as a result of the rise in VAT. Voice is particularly concerned about the financial situation of its lower paid members – such as some education support staff and childcare workers.
”This Budget will ultimately destroy the Coalition – either by dividing the Liberal Democrat MPs or by consigning their party to electoral oblivion and their Conservative partners to defeat at the next election.”
