Whitehall departments face 11% spending cuts budget

The UK government is preparing for significant public spending cuts. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to announce an 11% reduction in Whitehall spending in her upcoming Spring Statement. This move aims to address a financial shortfall estimated between £15 billion and £20 billion. The spending cuts are expected to affect various government departments, particularly the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office. While budgets for health, education, and defense will be shielded, other areas will see real-term cuts. This has raised concerns among some ministers about the potential impacts on services like policing and the justice system. Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the Treasury, stated that the government will now have better control over spending. He emphasized that they will monitor which programs are exceeding their budgets. Some officials have expressed skepticism about the cuts, viewing them as austerity measures that could harm vital public services. In reaction, Labour MP Ian Byrne criticized the government's approach, calling it a flawed strategy. He argued that repeating the same actions while expecting different outcomes is irrational. However, Jones defended the government's position, suggesting that reforms are necessary instead of just across-the-board cuts. The government is also planning to reduce the size of the civil service to focus resources on frontline services, like schooling and policing. Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride warned that the cuts would be a direct result of the government's previous decisions and broken promises.