UNIONS and campaigners have urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves not to betray the public sector tomorrow by imposing cuts on pay and services amid crises in the NHS, education and fire services.

Ms Reeves is expected to announce spending cuts for some government departments in her spring statement to the Commons.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said yesterday that the government will not “alter the basics” of public spending but added that he wanted to “take some money out of government.”

The fiscal tightening comes amid a backdrop of cuts the government has already announced to social security and to Civil Service running costs, which have caused unrest among unions and Labour backbenchers.

Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright warned that cutting billions of pounds from welfare and public services would be an insult to front-line workers who risked their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said: “Five years ago, people lined the streets to clap the emergency workers who cared for the sick and most vulnerable following the outbreak of Covid.

“Firefighters were among the ‘Covid heroes’ who risked their own safety long before the availability of a vaccine.

“However, as we mark the fifth anniversary of the Covid outbreak, the Chancellor intends to impose cuts on the workers who Britain clapped for their heroism.

“Many of these workers are in receipt of income support and other benefits. They will suffer from any cuts made by the Chancellor.”

Mr Wright said cutting  billions of pounds from welfare and public services would “be an insult to these Covid heroes,” adding: “Instead, the Chancellor must use the Spring Statement to introduce a wealth tax to fund public services and pay.”

The union’s calls come amid demands from health and social care campaigners for further support for services.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said yesterday that funding for social care would be provided as part of the government’s forthcoming plans to “fix” the NHS.

The NHS currently suffers thousands of “blocked” beds occupied by patients who are fit to be discharged but who have nowhere to go because of the pitiful state of the social care system.

At any one time, around one in seven hospital beds are taken up by people who could be cared for elsewhere.

Keep Our NHS Public co-chairman Dr John Puntis warned that any investment in social care must not come at the expense of already overstretched NHS services.

He told the Star: “The shift from hospital to community care won’t happen unless there is investment in community and social care support.

“NHS funding has not kept pace with rising demand from population growth and more people who are elderly or have chronic conditions.

“This means that whereas nominal spend on the NHS has increased, spending per unit health care demand has actually gone down.

“If extra money can be found for defence, it must also be found for the NHS.”

A National Pensioners Convention spokesperson welcomed Mr Streeting’s promise, but warned that 2028 is “too late to review social care.” 

They said: “People are in dire need now, not in three years’ time.

“And a solution [is urgently needed] to corridor care that appears to be accepted as the norm.”

Reports also suggest that ministers are looking at cuts to the education budget.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has suggested making free school meals for younger pupils means-tested instead of universal.

National Association of Head Teachers general secretary Paul Whiteman said: “We must be very clear with ministers that after a decade of funding cuts there are no more savings to be found.

“Any reduction in funding will therefore have a direct impact on the education that schools can provide, and it is pupils that will suffer.

“We would strongly urge the Chancellor to think again before asking children and young people to take on the burden of cuts, they deserve better.

“Looking ahead to the spring statement on Wednesday, we need to see the Chancellor commit to protecting the education budget; anything less would be a betrayal of children and young people.”

A Department for Education (DfE) source said: “It’s no secret that there are some tough choices coming down the track.”