Strathclyde Police set to cut civilian workforce

Strathclyde Police confirmed today it is holding discussions about its financial future.

Union leaders claim the force is considering axing 600 of its 2,700 civilian workers and other cost cutting measures in order to save 45 million.

The force is expected to decide the future of backroom staff at a meeting next Thursday (August 26), with redundancies on the table from next month.

A leaked email from Chief Constable Steve House, sent to staff on Monday, tells workers to expect voluntary redundancies.

He wrote: "The cuts that are coming are going to be deep and they will not be confined to this year.

"People are going to have to leave us, there can be no doubt about that."

Unison representative Gerry Crawley said that he believes up to 600 civilian staff are up for redundancy.

This alleged proposal was not contained within Mr House's email.

Mr Crawley said that other measures being considered by the force - ahead of the as yet unknown budget cuts - include changes to benefits, such as reducing mileage rates, axing life assurance, cutting excess travel payments, cutting overtime payments, and changing redundancy terms.

Mr Crawley said the force's plans are expected to save 45 million.

He said: "Unison is deeply concerned at the level of cuts being proposed and this will directly affect police services in Strathclyde and no doubt the safety and well-being of the public.

"Unison would ask the Chief Constable to reconsider the cuts that he is proposing and to approach the Scottish Government about extra funding."

Mr House's email also warns that whatever budgetary cuts are imposed "it will still mean that we will not be able to afford to employ the amount of people we currently do".

He wrote: "I have to warn you that when I say that the cuts will be significant, I am not being unnecessarily dramatic.

"We won't know the precise scale of the budget cuts until November, but even if they are at the low end of our projections, it will still mean that we will not be able to afford to employ anything like the amount of people we currently do.

"Unfortunately, I do not expect the cuts to be at the low end of our projections."

Mr House acknowledges that the changes will be "hugely unpopular" and told staff that the "enhanced package" for voluntary redundancy will, subject to approval by the police board, be offered to civilian staff next month.

He urged "each and every one of you to examine it carefully"

because "we will only be able to afford to offer this up once".

A Strathclyde Police spokeswoman confirmed meetings about the force's financial future are currently taking place, but declined to comment on further claims that overtime and other benefits were also up for review.

She said: "We are discussing the financial situation with the Strathclyde Police Authority in a series of meetings this week and next.

"It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."

The spokeswoman added that an announcement was expected at the end of next week.

The force has recently implemented cost-saving measures, including a recruitment freeze and its chief and deputy constable are foregoing bonuses this year.

Other options up for consideration include making officers retire if they have given more than 30 years' service.