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Union claims cutbacks could hinder bad weather response

 

A leading union official is claiming the slimming down in government staff numbers could hamper the Island's ability to tackle major weather issues this winter.

Eric Holmes from Unite spoke out after ministers admitted that a major reform of public sector pensions drawn up two years ago, has failed to achieve the expected savings and needs further revision.

The shortfall has been partly blamed on the increase in numbers drawing their pension early and fewer paying into the scheme.

Mr Holmes says that the voluntary retirement scheme or VRS, designed to reduce the Manx government head count, has weakened the Infrastructure Department.

He says he warned of the consequences: 

 

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