Vallois 'Not Impressed' With Savings Announcement

The Education Minister has revealed she didn't know about £30million of planned public sector savings until they were announced.

The Chief Minister confirmed news of the plans in a speech to business leaders last month after the draft 2019 budget revealed a deficit of up to £40m by 2020. 

Senator Tracey Vallois has told a Scrutiny Hearing she's written to the Treasury asking what it means for the Education budget.

"I was not aware of this £30m saving having to be made. I'm extremely concerned about it.

"Investment for education is extremely important, it's not just early years it's actual school funding as well.

"I've made my views known to the Chief Minister, to the Council of Ministers and I've asked for specifics, evidence and the numbers."

Senator John Le Fondre is promising savings to bridge the forecast gap between States spending and income.

That includes cutting the States workforce.

He says the rest will come as a result of Charlie Parker's overhaul which includes improving processes, stopping duplication and digitising and automating routine tasks and services.

Senator Vallois also told Scrutiny that she's happy 'now' with the Ministerial support she's been given, but that it's been a 'tense and difficult' six months.