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Britain's largest public sector union has slammed the appointment of Mayor Boris Johnson's 'efficiency Tsar.' £127,000 a year-man Nicholas Griffin will act as Johnson's budgets adviser seeking to identify £2.4 billion in savings over the next three years. £1.7bn of that target will come from Transport for London budget. Unison expressed dismay that an "eye-wateringly expensive external consultant" who had worked at accountancy firms KPMG, Price Waterhouse, Ernst and Young and Deloitte was being hired to cut costs. The big four firms have been accused of "merciless profiteering" by tax campaigners. Those budgets under threat include TfL which Johnson has already committed to £5bn of savings, Scotland Yard which currently has a recruitment freeze and the Fire Authority. Sectors that will feel the squeeze are thought to be information technology and human resources - some jobs are expected to go. Mr Johnson said: "Nicholas is a highly experienced individual and has an outstanding pedigree in corporate life." Labour Assembly member Val Shawcross said: "We're very worried about the vast number of job cuts proposed currently in transport but also in the police."
Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said:
"He has already cut staff at the GLA by 20 per cent and is making the choice to cut deeper still. Boris has also cut policing, cycle safety budgets and has totally disbanded the GLA affordable childcare team. He refuses to commit to the future of London's safer neighbourhood teams that have helped to improve London's communities."
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