This figure has been derived from the below table, which appeared in a reply, dated 21 October 2011, to a Parliamentary question.
| Table 1: Number of full-time equivalent civil servants, 31 March 2009 to 30 June 2011 | |
| Number | |
| 31 March 2009 | 490,000 |
| 31 March 2010 | 492,000 |
| 30 June 2011 | 453,000 |
| Source: Public Sector Employment Statistics, ONS. | |
The answer goes on to say:
“Cabinet Office is currently working with Departments to understand their future work force plans and projections. Information on finalised estimates of numbers of civil servants for 2012 to 2015 is not yet available but will be released in due course”.
Of course even more cuts are expected. That is why the Independent Left argues that the current dispute is wider than pensions – it must include a fight for jobs as well.
PCS Independent Left 