The TUC has questioned the findings of a recent report from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), which urged the government to prioritise expenditure to protect research and development.
A spokesman for the organisation insisted that drastic cuts in government spending are likely to have a negative impact on Britain's working skills base and suggested the CBI is agitating for "increased poverty".
"The CBI's vision for a more skilled workforce is hardly likely to materialise if the government cuts back on training grants and employers refuse to stump up to train staff," the representative explained.
He added that although both the TUC and CBI have common ground on the issue of maintaining infrastructure investment, the latter group's proposals for reforming public sector pensions could add to the problems facing some elderly people.
Bosses concerned about the impact of the coalition's forthcoming spending review should consider attending the HR in the Public Sector 2010 event at London's Canary Wharf in November.
Posted by Ross George