Finance Minister Bob Richards has said there will be extensive consultation before Government carries out any cost-cutting recommendations made by the SAGE Commission.

But in a statement issued this morning, he appeared not to rule out future redundancies in the Civil Service — one of the central recommendations put forward by the Savings And Government Efficiency Commission. Government had initially pledged that there would be no job cuts in the Civil Service, although last month Premier Craig Cannonier suggested a shift in Government’s position when he said he “can’t make any promises” on jobs.

And Mr Richards made no reference to the guarantee, saying only that “consultation will anchor the SAGE process going forward”.

“The Government is sensitive to the concerns raised by the unions and, by extension, members of the Civil Service,” he said.

“I can assure civil servants and the public that consultation will anchor the SAGE process going forward. We will consult all stakeholders before recommendations are implemented.

“The process will also see the Government assess what recommendations can be implemented in the first year and the formulation of a timetable for recommendations that can be implemented in the following years.”

Mr Richards said he had made a Take Note motion on the report, which will be debated in the House of Assembly on December 13.

“I look forward to a full and frank debate in the House as we continue to work to revive our economy through policies and actions that grow the economy and jobs on the one hand and government efficiencies on the other,” he said.